Swayze began his career as a professional dancer before segueing into acting in his late 20s. His career spanned over almost 30 years and numerous movies, though the role that people remember most is his portrayal of Johnny Castle in Dirty Dancing. This low-budget film did not star any well-known actors, but still became a surprise success upon its release in 1987.

Though Swayze never became an important icon for Science teacher Derek Van Beever, he still remembers the phenomenon. “Everyone saw [Dirty Dancing]. Everyone knew the music, he said.

The movie included romance, rebellion, and well-known original songs, but dancing, obviously, was the most important component. “Most of the dancing in the film happens to have Latino origins, senior Lucky Liyanage said. “I think the movie brought that type of dancing into the spotlight.

Math teacher Margery Waldron also admired Swayze’s abilities. “He was a very talented athlete. I read he did all his own stunts in Dirty Dancing, which was pretty amazing, Waldron said.

Though the movie resonated among audiences during that time, English and Film Studies teacher David Weintraub actually prefers some of Swayze’s other films to Dirty Dancing.

Weintraub describes Swayze as an actor that could uniquely balance both the serious and ridiculously comical elements into his performances. The movie Point Break, for example, amusingly combines bank robberies with surfing, skydiving, and extreme football.

“I think Patrick Swayze’s star persona fluctuates between heartthrob and laughing stock, he said. “When you watch a good Patrick Swayze performance, you’re not sure if you love him or if you want to laugh at him.
Dirty Dancing, and his other relatively well-known film Ghost, fail to capture this fusion of comedy and drama. “It’s all this very serious tone, Weintraub said. “There’s got to be an element of self-conscious humor in it. Red Dawn and Point Break are those two towering achievements.

Though Swayze’s illness was publicized in the media, his death has not had the same impact on South students as other deaths of this past year. The reason for this difference is partially that Swayze was considered a heartthrob for an earlier generation.

Senior Lia Pagliuso has never seen a Swayze film, but knows about him because of his fame during her parents’ generation.

“I’m guessing the adult reaction is much stronger than the students’, Pagliuso said. “I remember how when Heath Ledger died, the entire youth population was devastated since he was such an icon for our generation. I’m guessing Patrick Swayze was a similar icon for the adult generation.

Swayze may not have been an extremely influential icon, but his illness still moved many people.

“It’s terrible that anyone has to die from cancer, Van Beever said. “Though it wasn’t the passing of an icon, in that sense, I was moved. Van Beever, however, does not agree with the media’s portrayal of Swayze’s illness. “One thing I have noticed is the obsession of tabloid media when someone is suffering from an illness. I think it’s disgusting that the tabloids would prey on any person’s last days and use it to sell magazines.

At the same time, Swayze always carried his illness with an optimistic attitude. He wanted to be known as a fighter, and never lost sight of his passion for acting. He continued working even after being diagnosed until his illness became too severe for him to continue.

“I thought he was very, very brave and dignified, Waldron said. “He never let it conquer him. It conquered his body, but not his spirit. I really admire that.

In the end, Swayze will primarily be remembered for his contributions to the art world through his performance in Dirty Dancing. People from many different generations continue to watch this particular film.
“He had that one good movie that sparked this shift in dancing and music, Liyanage said. “That’s what makes his death sad.

One of the most important aspects of Levenson’s life as an artist is his participation in the Newton South a cappella group, Newtones. First joining the group sophomore year, Levenson has since become its president. “We really have a tight group, he said. “We’re disciplined, but we love being together. It’s so much fun.

His passion for the group extends to the actual singing as well. “There’s nothing like the feeling you get when you hit a high note, Levenson said. Some of the unique aspects of a cappella are “the fun harmonics and people singing the sounds of instruments. One of Levenson’s favorite parts of Newtones is the International Championship of High School A Cappella, a competition that takes place in New Jersey in mid-March.

In the two weeks leading up to the event, the group increases its rehearsals from four and a half hours per week to two to three hours per day except Saturday, “we call it Newtones Boot Camp, Levenson said. “We really polish our pieces and delve into the music. We get into a number of performance elements. It’s really a great time for our group to mesh.

Besides Newtones, Levenson is part of chorus and attributes much of his vocal growth to South music teacher Benjamin Youngman. “What’s special is the excitement that he brings to class everyday. It’s that excitement that gets everyone to perform at their highest level.

This past summer Levenson’s interest in classical singing was heightened when he participated in a six-week program at Boston University Tanglewood Institute with 70 other vocalists.

The classes included voice classes, individual voice training, and master classes. “Seeing all those people and the dedication to music at that program reinspired me, at least in classical music.

Levenson also attends New England Conservatory. Though his participation in the small chamber choir Camerata began last year, Levenson has been a part of Youth Chorale under the direction of Ryan Murphy since his sophomore year.

The difficulty of the music and the quality of the other tenors in his section have helped him improve his voice.

This year, Levenson also takes the English elective songwriting. “I’m just realizing how hard it is, he said. Levenson usually brainstorms stories and characters before sitting at a piano to find a melody through trial and error.

“Sometimes there’s an element of wanting to be original. Obviously if you have a message you want to get across, often times it’s really personal so it’s easy to want to be a perfectionist.
One of his inspirations is the rock group U2. He loves that they began as a high school group and find their music unique both musically and lyrically. He also admires how they support humanitarian crises both through their music and their active involvement.

Besides singing in choruses, Levenson performs frequently in South Stage musicals. His past roles include First Drunk in Wonderful Town, Bobby Strong in Urinetown, Willard Hewitt in Footloose, and Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls.“This past role was definitely the most fun to play, Levenson said, referring to his role in Guys and Dolls.

Levenson has loved being in each show, especially the group dynamic that comes with being a part of a cast. “You develop really tight bonds in the two months leading up to a show, which is really tough when it’s over, Levenson said.

He also has a great appreciation for South Stage. “It’s really been a great place to grow as both a singer and an actor, he said. “Everyone I’ve been directed by here has really put learning first. I think we’re really lucky to have such a good theater program in a high school.

In the fall Levenson will attend the University of Pennsylvania, which has 13 a cappella groups and two student-run theatre groups. While Levenson is not sure if he’ll continue his music studies as a major, he plans to participate in some of these groups. Besides music, Levenson is also interested in economic history and applied mathematics.