ABOUT THE CENTRAL CASS
FRIENDS OF FINE ARTS

VISION

The vision of the Friends of Fine Arts aims to support Central Cass students in the arts and to create arts’ minded community members.

MISSION

To support the needs of CC arts’ programs with financial assistance, student involvement and recognition in band, choir, the visual arts, theatre and speech.

VALUES

  • Inclusion

  • Passion

  • Showing Up

  • Collaboration

  • Recognition

What is FOFA?

The Central Cass Friends of Fine Arts (FOFA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, community-led organization that provides financial and volunteer support to all areas of the fine arts — band, choir, visual arts, theater & speech. The overall goal of FOFA is to support the artistic experiences provided for Central Cass middle & high school students. A board of community members, parents, student and school board representatives meet regularly to organize activities based on needs requested from the arts’ educators.

Support to the Central Cass arts programs might include:

- Ticket sales
- Concessions
- Door monitors
- Guest artists/performances
- Student scholarships to art-related camps
- Commissioning pieces of music
- Sponsorship of involvement in honor bands or choirs
- Purchase extra supplies or equipment for theater productions
- Provide supplies for special visual art community projects
- Meals/snacks prior to events
- Concert streaming
- State Music/Speech send off—yard signs, treat bags
- Assist Young Musicians' Festival
- Assist Speech meets
- Sponsorship of Summerfest Variety Show
- Advertising/social media exposure of student productions/achievements
- Assist with Fine Arts Awards Banquet
- Hospitality room

  • "The arts enrich our lives – adding color, thrill, and light."

    Maari Loy | 2004 Central Cass Alum

  • "The arts are a place where you are free to come as you are, be yourself, and leave better than you came."

    Brandon Noffze | Central Cass Band Director

  • "What would the world be without music?"

    Tom Wald

  • "If you sing in a choir or play an instrument, it is a life long gift which no one can take away from you. Practice! Practice! Practice!"

    Antoinette Babcock

  • “Keep a song in your heart."

    John Monilaws | 1982 Central Cass Alum

  • "The arts bring beauty, connection, and meaning to our lives and to our souls. They are not an addition to life. They are an essential!"

    Katie Bruckbauer | 1976 Central Cass Alum

  • “Right here in our community, we have the opportunity to give students a FOREVER gift they will have their entire lives.”

    Maari Loy | 2004 Central Cass Alum

  • “That thing that makes you different, might just be your super power. It’s cool to be different. That just might be the thing that takes you places all around the world.”

    Hillary Ogle | 2005 Central Cass Alum

  • “A school the size of Central Cass, you can do everything! You don’t get all of the opportunity in life because eventually you have to specialize. But for now, be in everything! A play? Be in it! Music? Grab an instrument! Play sports! Be in a speech contest!”

    Carl Peterson | 1977 Central Cass Alum

  • “All parents miss the boat when they don’t give their children the opportunity to take piano lessons, as it’s the basic foundation of music. It teaches how to read music and learn about rhythm.”

    David Piper | 1973 Central Cass Alum

  • “In the music world, you can continue to perform in many capacities your entire life regardless of your career path.”

    Josh Argall | 1993 Central Cass Alum

HISTORY OF FOFA

The Central Cass Friends of Fine Arts (FOFA) was the brainchild of founding members Karen Kost, Marie Piper and Gail (Scherweit) Bakko. While sitting at their students’ performances in 2004, they brainstormed ideas for a non-profit organization that supported students who weren’t athletes, but leaned towards participation in the arts. They talked amongst parents, scheduled meetings and formed the Friends of Fine Arts.

From the beginning days and continuing to the present day, FOFA’s ability to function has relied almost solely on membership fees. Early fundraising activities of a “Chairs for Charity” and a Fine Arts Dessert Night showcasing student artwork and speeches kicked off other venues for raising funds.

According to Karen Kost, “The organization took off due to the strong desire of parents and students to keep it alive.” Parents and community members throughout the past years have stepped up to support the organization through financial contributions, volunteering and serving on the board.

Fast forward 19 years, the Central Cass Friends of Fine Arts has an active board of nine members who are motivated to achieve and extend the group’s objective to generate and sustain interest and support programming for middle and high school music, visual arts, theater and forensics. Our objective and mission hasn’t changed, but our professional presence has. The logo has been updated to a digital format, and our new website is sure to keep you informed on arts’ happenings at Central Cass. 

We welcome you—parents, students, alumni, community, relatives, neighbors, friends—to jump on board to continue our journey of supporting our creative students who participate in the arts at Central Cass.        

Meet the Board

  • Mary Kensok

  • Jennifer Schmaltz

  • Bridget Belter

  • Kristen Olsen

  • Julia Barnes

  • Maari Loy

  • Heidi Krueger

  • Sarah Burchill

  • Kristi Melvin

BOARD BIOS + MORE INFO