***This article was written by Alexandria “Joey” Drawyer, a participant in The Kewanee Voice Student Journalism Program, funded by the Harry Anderson Memorial Trust Fund.

At the beginning of the 2023-24 school year, Wethersfield High School added a new staff member to the roster. The new hire, Liz Bystry Kegebein, became the art teacher for both elementary and high school students.

The high school hasn’t had a permanent art instructor for nearly 12 years and Kegebein recently hosted a painting night at Cerno’s for all of the Wethersfield staff to attend.

Kegebein’s goal with these get-togethers is for the Wethersfield staff to improve their creative prowess, as well as socialize with each other outside of work. Kegebein’s aims is for staff throughout the district to connect with other co-workers that they may not see on a daily basis very often.

During the painting night, the Wethersfield staff was shown examples of what they could create, but they could also choose their own subjects. She has arranged similar activities before, since one of her long-term hobbies is hosting craft classes for adults.

While she loves teaching K-12 students, Kegebein also shares that fondness with all age groups. She previously only taught elementary children, but has since widened the age range to include every grade level, as well as people beyond high school and college.

Kegebein reports that the art event went very well, and that the night was filled with exciting conversations and laughter among those who attended. She hopes that these kinds of gatherings will be held again in the near future.