Graduation 2011: BHS Seniors Win Arts Awards

Every year, the teachers of each academic department of Broadneck High School meet to determine which of their deserving students will be recognized for their talent and hard work throughout the year. The students are then recognized in the annual senior awards ceremony days before graduation.

Here is a summary of the award winners for 2011 in the disciplines of art, drama, and English.

Art – Miriam Hokanson

“Talent is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration, and Miriam exemplifies this,” said art department chair Stacey Sass. “She puts in endless hard work in the art studio, challenging herself to create numerous wonderful paintings, drawings, and sculptures.”

Golden Sculpture Award – Janet Karanja

“Janet is a perfect example of what it is to be an artist,” said Beth Mader-Wasko, 3D Design teacher. “Her talent, skill, and dedication to the arts are prevalent in every piece of artwork she creates.”

Photography Golden Film Award – Taylor Gilbert

Photography teacher Genevieve Cartwright said of Taylor, “She always had a creative mind and puts forth a lot of effort into her artwork. She has grown into a wonderful artist and will hopefully continue on this path to be a great graphic designer or advertising artist.”

English – Sydney Sznajder

“Our award recognizes someone who has consistently shown insight into the literature and poetry studied and is fluent in his or her expression of those insights,” said English teacher Maureen Thomas. “Beyond a doubt, this determined and dedicated student puts her all into whatever she attempts to accomplish and does so with sheer grace.”

Tribuin (newspaper) 

Karen Hott, Newspaper Advisor, recognized the following students for their leadership and hard work for the school's newspaper:

Co-Editor in Chief:  Nicholas Martinez;

Co-Editor in Chief:  Ellie Storck;

Assistant Editor in Chief:  Mary Beth McAndrews;

Arts and Style Editor:  Sara McKay.

Broadneck Dramatics Guild – Alyce Strozzo, Jose Molina, Christian Kemp, Mary Beth McAndrews, Hannah Sturm, Christopher Hudson, Hayley White, Geoffrey Eckert, Miriam Hokanson, and Hope Brooks.

Drama advisor and English teacher Kevin Whewell said, “These students have demonstrated prowess on both sides of the curtain, handling the challenges of stagecraft and technical production, investing both time and spirit.”

National Foundation for the Arts Finalists - Shanley Codd and Nicole Rivera

The National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts helps young and emerging artists who excel in the forms of dance, media/filmmaking, music, theater, visual arts or writing.  The following BHS students won Honorable Mention in this program this year:  Kylie Nicholson, Anna Fowlkes, and Janet Karanja.

Coming up next in our “Graduation:  Class of 2011” awards series – Math and Science.