「画力がすごい」伝統のサプライズ・黒板アートで新入生を歓迎　チョーク３００本使用の力作に新１年生感動　福岡の高校

On April 8th, entrance ceremonies were held at 90 full-time prefectural high schools in Fukuoka Prefecture, marking the start of approximately 22,000 students' new school lives. To ease the tension and anxiety of the new students, a high school in Kitakyushu City held a surprise event organized by upperclassmen. We covered this initiative, which has now become a school tradition. The Traditional "Surprise" This is Yahata Chuo High School, a prefectural high school in Yahata Nishi Ward, Kitakyushu City. On April 8th, the entrance ceremony was held, and 200 first-year students began their new lives. Yahata Chuo High School Principal, Hidehiro Ogushi: "Congratulations to all 200 new students on your admission!" As it was only the first day, everyone seemed nervous. New First-Year Student: "I'm excited, but also nervous. I don't have many friends (from my middle school), so I'm a little nervous, but since it's the first day, I want to try talking to people while I have the chance." To alleviate this tension and anxiety, the upperclassmen prepared a traditional surprise again this year. "Blackboard Art" to Welcome New Students On April 1st, approximately 40 members of the art club, who will be second and third-year students this spring, gathered during their spring break to create surprise art. Third-year art club member: "It brings back memories of when we were first-year students." A traditional event at Yawata Chuo High School is the "blackboard art" created by the art club members. They create artwork for each of the first-year classes, each with a different theme, to welcome the new students. Past works include: This is "Underwater Train" (2021), depicting a scene where a train is stopped at the station of school entrance. It conveys the message that, like the vast ocean of the unknown, high school life should be filled with discoveries and challenges. "Advance High School Ship" (2022) won an Excellence Award at the 2022 National Blackboard Art Koshien. The meaning behind it is to "move forward without hesitation," like a pirate. Akari Ishizaka, Vice President of the Art Club (3rd year student) "Two years ago, when I saw the blackboard art, I talked with the kids around me about how amazing it was, and that's when I became closer to my friends. I was nervous at the entrance ceremony, so seeing the seniors' work helped to ease my tension." She also created a piece for younger students aspiring to a career in art. Akari Ishizaka is a 3rd year student and Vice President of the Art Club. The 2025 incoming class has five classes, and Ishizaka is in charge of the Art Course. It's a special class where students specialize in art and calligraphy, and some students come from outside Kitakyushu City. New students in the Art Course "It's the only public school with an art program, so I thought I could cultivate my dreams here." "In the future, I want to work in a job related to design." "I want to work in a job that involves creating illustrations for textbooks, or as an art staff member at a TV station." This blackboard art is a gift for younger students aspiring to a career in art. Ishizaka is also putting her heart and soul into it. Akari Ishizaka, Vice President of the Art Club "People often think of art as something you do alone, but the process of brainstorming ideas and making decisions together is incredibly fun." Techniques Passed Down Through Generations Rubbing with your hands, using erasers and brushes...the techniques for creating blackboard art have been passed down from senior members through generations. "Chalk has a limited range of colors, so we have to be creative. Cotton swabs create a blurred effect when touched gently, so we use them a lot for faces." Akari Ishizaka, Vice President of the Art Club "It's true that losing spring break is tough, but on the other hand, we get to see the smiles of the first-year students, and since we don't have many opportunities to interact with them, I think it's great to have this chance to showcase our blackboard art." The theme of this year's artwork is "Adventure Game." It embodies the wish that the students will cherish their individuality, like the protagonist of a game, and face various challenges while cooperating with their friends. New Students' Surprise Art On the day of the entrance ceremony, the new students finally entered their classrooms after the ceremony. Art Course Freshmen "I was amazed by their ideas and drawing skills." "I want to practice every day to reach this level." "I talked with my classmates, saying things like, 'That's amazing,' and 'I want to make this,' even though I haven't even heard their names yet." "I also want to be adventurous like in that picture, reach out to different people, and make lots of friends." Akari Ishizaka, Vice President of the Art Club "Everyone was nervous and didn't say anything, but I was happy to see them intently looking at the blackboard. I hope this tradition continues, and since this tra...