Avery Caroll is a musician and artist here at Leesville, improving her talent over the past few years.

Avery plays both the violin and the piano, a rare combination for young musicians.  “I’ve played the violin for 6 years and the piano for 5… I played the violin back in middle school as an elective and then piano, I started during COVID because I was bored,” said Carroll.

Balancing multiple instruments is a task that not many students can handle while juggling other obligations.   “I go to lessons once a week for both violin and piano, and then I practice throughout the week.  When I was in orchestra, I had more time to practice on violin, but now it is more of just a hobby.”

She has also participated in a couple of concerts, describing them as enjoyable but nerve-racking.

Avery also has a growing art portfolio.  She takes AP Art and has 10 completed art pieces.  

Her recent art projects have been capturing certain parts of life, including both the good and the bad. “I am currently following a theme about, like, moments in life, both negative and positive,” said Carroll.

Carroll, along with her art honors society, completed painting a garden box in Mr. Schwinger’s classroom.  They plan on continuing to help make the school a more inviting and comforting space. 

Avery’s talent goes beyond participating in competitions; her friends have also honoured her skills. “I see it most when we work on stuff for exec, she makes the best exec banners… and in anatomy class, I’ll look over into her artbook and think ‘wow, that’s really good,’” said Lillian Hogg, senior.

“I do it [art] for fun mostly.  I’m always trying to get better.  I feel like every piece I do, I don’t like it, and then I like to try and top it,” said Carroll.

One of her art pieces will be showcased in an upcoming county-wide art competition.  The piece follows the theme of “belonging” and represents that people’s differences on the outside don’t stop them from still being one.