Art Meets Athletics: West Students Inspire Teamwork at Endeavor

When Endeavor sixth graders make it to Lakota West’s main campus one day, they’ll have a daily reminder of a fun afternoon spent connecting with upperclassmen and fabricating two life-size basketball hoops with nets made entirely of hand-painted ceramic rings. But even more mesmerizing than the final masterpieces they co-create might be the lessons wrapped up in the whole process - for the big kids and little kids, alike. 

“The whole idea is that each of us is a unique and individual piece,” said Lakota West art teacher Anne Flavin, who drew her inspiration for the project from Lakota’s district-wide theme this school year, “WE are Building OUR Future.” She points to the ceramic rings as the individualized pieces that would form the final two hoops to hang at both Lakota West and Endeavor. 

“What makes us really strong is when we come together to function and make really cool things happen,” Flavin continued. 

Following the creative vision of their teacher, a small group of Flavin’s art students came together to plan the activity from start to finish. The best part: She paired some of her beginner level art students (also varsity basketball players for Lakota West) with her most advanced “varsity” AP student artists, as introduced to Endeavor students. 

The pairing was a strategic move to emphasize to their younger counterparts not only the power of bringing together different strengths for the larger good, but also that “art is truly for everyone.” 

“Art can be intimidating and I just want all kids to have the courage to participate,” said Flavin, who enjoys the challenge of engaging students in art even if they are “just there for the credit.” While art may be her favorite thing, she recognizes that is not the case for most kids who walk through her door.

“Incredible or not, it doesn’t matter. What’s important is that they show up and try,” continued Flavin, who has been especially encouraged by the leadership skills displayed by basketball players in her ceramics and 3D art classes this year. Genuinely inspired by their talent and passion for basketball, she witnesses on a daily basis the profound impact their leadership can have on the classmates around them - particularly those who aren’t as drawn to art. 

And so, she invited them to harness that same energy for the benefit of Endeavor’s sixth graders. She challenged them to set up the art project and lead a conversation about the power of leadership and teamwork before beginning the art part of the experience. 

“I loved being part of something bigger than myself and inspiring other future leaders,” reflected Lakota West varsity basketball team manager and junior Lawson Robinson. By the end of the second afternoon with Endeavor students (they visited the school over four days to get to all students), Robinson and his teammates seemed to get as much from the whole experience as the sixth graders. 

“Considering it’s something we take so seriously as a team, it’s a blessing to come over here and talk about teamwork,” said Lakota West junior Josh Tyson. “I used to love any chance to interact with older kids.” Tyson and his teammates, along with the AP art students, scattered throughout the classroom, each joining a different table to paint their own rings and simply talk with the students. 

Their conversations ranged from school and sports to video games and pop culture. One player shared how his own missteps in not taking school seriously enough during his sophomore year. An art student shared her own social challenges from sixth grade with a group of students facing similar challenges. “I was able to sincerely say, ‘I know how you feel and it will get better’,” said Lakota West senior Bree Pace. 

Another art student, senior Ace Nguyen, was fascinated by how they shared a lot of the same humor, despite their age differences. There seems to be a smaller gap because of technology and social media, she reflected. Lakota West senior Romina Martinez laughed while recounting another conversation in which the Endeavor student said she couldn’t wait to get older. “I told them to enjoy their childhood. It goes by way too quickly.” 
Several other art students, also student-athletes, used the time to emphasize that you don’t have to choose just one thing. “You can do 12 things that you love at the same time,” Pace said.

The lessons even continued on to the playground, where West players got to relive their recess days and start up a fun pick-up game of basketball with their admiring fans. “I remember having recess every day,” said Lakota West junior Bryce Curry. “That was the best part, just interacting with all the kids and doing what we love to do.” 

And while students might have been the stars of the show, they humbly credited their teacher with all the accolades of the project’s success. “Ms. Flavin deserves all the credit for the whole idea. Her creativity is inspiring. She helps us all rise up,” Robinson said.