Arts Awards Ceremony celebrates student excellence across theatre, music, dance, visual arts and performance programs

Faculty members honored students for their artistic accomplishments, leadership, dedication and service throughout the academic year.

"We are honored to be a part of a wonderful arts department and to have the opportunity to guide your work through the year," said Senior Lecturer of Visual Arts Chris King. "We want you to know that we are extremely proud of all of our students and look forward to seeing the wonderful things you accomplish in the future wherever you apply your creative talents." 

Instructor of Technical Theatre Karn Rochoux presented Technical Theatre Work Service Awards to Jordan Naylor, Issac Billiot and Sofia Anello, recognizing the students for their perseverance and dedication throughout a demanding production season.

"We had half of our people gone in the fall semester due to viruses going around campus and then we had bats at the next one and immediately took down the set and were into dance concert," she shared. "They made the shows wonderful, however difficult it was to get there, we could not do it without them!"

Associate Lecturer of Voice & Chorale Greg Wascoe recognized 16 voice students for their contributions to the LSMSA Chorale and voice program. Sofia Anello completed the Artist in Training program in Voice recognition.

Senior Service Awards for Chorale participation were presented to Sofia Anello, Amelia Hanes, Graci Noel, Kat Spizale and Owen Thomason for four semesters of participation, while Isabelle Gillett and Sophie Lee were recognized for six semesters. Senior Service Awards for Voice participation were presented to Sofia Anello, Isabelle Gillett, Amelia Hanes and Graci Noel for four semesters and Sophie Lee for six semesters. Sophie Lee also received a Work Service Award.

Senior Recital Recognition awards were presented to Sofia Anello, Isabelle Gillett, Amelia Hanes, Sophie Lee and Graci Noel.

Students earning recognition for achievements outside LSMSA included Gianna Margan, Presley Nettleton and Luke Naylor for participation in the Louisiana American Choral Directors Association All-State Choir. At the Louisiana State Chapter NATS Conference and Vocal Competition, Sofia Anello earned second place in High School Commercial Music and second place in High School Musical Theater, Sophia Bartlett earned fourth place in High School Commercial Music and Ana Reynolds-Perez earned first place in High School Classical.

Wascoe also presented personalized superlative awards to Sofia Anello, Sophia Bartlett, Lucy Centanni, Layla East, Isabelle Gillett, Amelia Hanes, Sophia LeBoeuf, Sophie Lee, Lila Lewis, Gianna Margan, Traylor Nagem, Luke Naylor, Graci Noel, Ana Reynolds-Perez, Jasmin Sandanski and Marianna Sickey.

Instructor of Instruments, Composition, and Ensemble Michael Young recognized Halle Copponex, Carlos Este-McDonald, Lily Gros and Kai Stephens for participation in the LMEA District Honor Band. Carlos Este-McDonald received recognition for four semesters in Mixed Ensemble, while Lily Gros was recognized for six semesters of participation.

Senior Lecturer of Piano Charlie Jones presented awards to Ty Williams for the highest average in Beginning Piano and Trevor Holliman for the highest average in Intermediate Piano.

Graduating seniors recognized for multiple years of piano study at LSMSA included Kaitlyn Ancar, Anika Chegireddy, Lily Gros, Olivia Luebbert and Gentry Parker. Bryan Chen and Emily Mwatibo were recognized for multiple performances on LSMSA Arts Department recitals, while Monika Garlapati and Paulina Hsiau were recognized as senior piano recitalists and LMTA Piano Rally participants.

Lecturer of Theatre Scott Theriot presented specialty awards to Izaiah Pittman, Isabelle Gillett, Mia Parrish, Sofia Anello and Julia Wisdom for their leadership, creativity and performance contributions throughout the year.

Theatre Club officers recognized for their service included Julia Wisdom, president; Mary Schrader, vice president; Isabelle Gillett, secretary; Sofia Anello, thespian chair; and Stevie Rimmer, social media chair. Work service recognitions were presented to Julia Wisdom and Stevie Rimmer.

Lecturer of Dance and CAPA Department Chair Crystal Lewis recognized members of the LSMSA Dance Ensemble for their dedication to the audition-based performance company.

Certificate of Achievement Awards for two semesters of dedication were presented to Gracie Champagne, Harper Copponex and Shelby Eugene. Julia Farizo and Ashlynn Stafford were recognized for four semesters of dedication, while Lucy Centanni and Imani Williams were recognized for five semesters.

Lucy Centanni and Imani Williams also received the Excellence in Dance Award and Artist in Training Certificate of Completion for completing advanced dance coursework, performance requirements and senior dance capstones.

Senior Lecturer of Visual Arts Chris King and Lecturer of Visual Arts Marcus Journey recognized Lila Lewis and Juliet Hyams for completing extensive coursework in the Visual Arts Artist in Training program.

Outstanding Achievement Awards were presented to Isabelle Gillett for ceramics; Ava Cox and Madeline Springstead for printmaking; Juliet Hyams for sculpture; McKenzie Harrell, Kali Smith and Kylie Pickett for ceramics; Kendall Sant for painting; Lila Lewis for drawing and painting; and Leslie Barber for architecture.

Faculty members praised students for their creativity, collaboration, leadership and artistic growth throughout the academic year while celebrating the depth and diversity of artistic opportunities available through LSMSA’s college-level arts programs.