By CHRISTOPHER TUFFLEY
christopher.tuffley@newssun.com
SEBRING -- For the past year members of the Sebring High School Art Club have been making soup bowls.
Thursday, St. Valentine's day, the students open their studio to the public from 4-7 p.m., so those bowls can be put to use.
Ten dollars entitles the guest to a handmade bowl, soup, bread, dessert and a drink. The bulk of the entrance fee goes to two young people struggling with cancer, and a smaller amount for scholarships to student artists.
Art teachers Steve Van Dam and Jack Van Dam (they are brothers) talked about Sydnee Crow and Pedro Palacios, the students for whom the art club is raising money.
Sydnee was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in March 2012. After almost a year on chemotherapy, Sydnee is in remission -- although she has to continue oral chemotherapy until Dec. 1, 2014 to be declared free of the disease. In the meantime, she looks forward to returning to Lake Placid High School as a sophomore, playing volley ball and riding competitively.
Pedro is a 10-year-old student at Lake Country Elementary School. Diagnosed with a brain tumor in the summer of 2011, he is still under treatment.
Pedro loves animals, playing video games, music and making people laugh.
This is the 11th year Soup for the Arts has been held. In the past the event has raised thousands of dollars.
This year, like previous years, the restaurant community is responding generously -- the soup is provided by Beef O' Brady's, Chicanes, Lake Placid Health Care, Mae Lee, Panera, and Red Lobster, which is also bringing its cheese biscuits.
Breads are provided by Panera, Papa John's, and Zeno's; desserts by Dee's, Ruby Tuesday's and Sweet Bay. Brewsters will have coffee on hand, Cang Tong and Yums restaurants donated fortune cookies, and McDonald's donated cups -- lots of cups, Steve Van Dam, said.
Soup's Up is a perfect place to take a valentine. Make it the soup course during a romantic evening. The beautiful bowl is a unique token of love.
Besides, in addition to doing a good deed, there's the good food, and live music. The Heartland Harmonizers and students will be singing.
"The kids have put in at least 1,000 hours making bowls all year," Van Dam said. "They work hard and sweat, and then they give it all away. I'm very proud of them."
Soup for the Arts is held in the school cafeteria.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013 - www.newssun.com/021313-ct-soup-up-SHS