Students of the Month Program

The students to receive this honor for the month of October are 

Lillian Albert (visual arts) and Elijah Neff (music/performing arts). 

Our visual artist of the month for October, 2024 is Whitehouse senior, Lillian Albert. She is the daughter of parents, Sara Smith and Allen Albert. Lillian enjoys the creative freedom and endless possibilities that art offers. She is keeping it local by attending Bowling Green State University next year where she hopes to earn a fine art degree. Lillian hopes to use her talent to become a concept artist who specializes in character design. We couldn't be prouder of you, Lillian, and we look forward to your future contribution to the local art scene and beyond! become a marine researcher.

The student of the month in performing art is none other than Elijah Neff. A senior from Monclova, Elijah is the son of Philip and Jacqueline Neff. Spoken like a true music lover, Elijah told us that he loves portraying feeling though music and finds interest in the meaning and storytelling music offers. He eagerly participates in all of Anthony Wayne High School's band programs and truly enjoys performing. Elijah plans on attending the Ohio State University where he wants to study English literature and eventually go into law. We at AWAAC know you will, Elijah, and wish you the best of luck!

Visual artist Lila Hippert is a junior at Anthony Wayne High School. Her proud parents are Rachel and Bob Hippert. Always busy, Lila told us that creating art is a way for her to unwind and destress. She says she loves the freedom that art affords her. Lila plans on entering the medical field as a profession but will always make sure to include art in her life wherever it takes her. She is very thankful to her parents and the community for exposing her to art at a young age. We at AWAAC think that’s great, and we are so glad to have Lila as a part of our artistic community! Thanks, Lila!

Our performing artist of the month is Ruby Yates from Whitehouse. Ruby’s parents are Allison Yates and Sean Tilley, as well as Mike and Katie Yates. Ruby practices music and singing for the best reason I have ever heard - it makes her happy! What more reason does anyone need? She also appreciates music for all the friends it has brought her, and the memories made with them. Ruby says she plans on furthering her education after high school but for now, she is just enjoying participating in choir and symphonic chorale. We agree, Ruby, there is no need to rush things; time passes so quickly. Enjoy yourself!

The visual artist of the month is Waterville resident, Anna Patnode. She is the daughter of proud parents, Bill Patnode, and Leah Herner-Patnode. Anna has the distinction of being a student artist who has displayed a work of art in every high school art show. More than that, she also has submitted work in art shows going back to junior high, and even grade school! Like many like-minded artists, Anna appreciates the creative outlook her art affords her. Anna tells us she plans on attending The Ohio State University and then go in to social work. We are very proud of you, Anna. We are sure you will succeed in whatever you choose to do. 

The SOTM in performing arts is none other than Rebecca Koralewski. Rebecca is a senior from Monclova where she lives with parents, Sara and Joe Koralewski. Talk about a multi-threat performance artist, Rebecca is involved in acapella choir, symphonic chorale, symphonic winds, marching band, and theater! Where does she find the time? Rebecca choreographed the Anthony Wayne Junior High musical and has even been invited to sing at Carnegie Hall! Yes, THAT Carnegie Hall. Wow....where will she go from here? Rebecca wanted to take the time to thank all her mentors and teachers for helping her expand her musical career. We at AWAAC are so proud of you, Rebecca!

Our Student of the Month in performance art is none other than Anthony Wayne senior, Devin Schroeder. Devin is the son of proud parents, Allison Aey and Nick Schroeder. Devin is a talented musician with the Marching Generals, competing in solo and ensemble district competitions for three years and receiving top scores. He also enjoys working behind the scenes as a lighting director for numerous AWHS plays and performances such as The Play That Goes Wrong, Matilda Jr., Mamma Mia, Rumors, Willy Wonka Jr., and the soon to be High School Musical. He has also helped with other shows at Anthony Wayne such as Little Mermaid Jr., Once Upon a Mattress, and Clue. 

Devin enjoys working in the theater wings so much that he plans on going to school to be a theater electrician and study all the numerous things that go into a professional stage production. Way to go, Devin! All those shows we love so much are not possible without people like you. All of us at AWAAC couldn't be prouder! 

Our visual artist of the month is your very own, Hayden Heller. Hayden lives in Whitehouse with her proud parents, Aimee and Brian Heller. Hayden tells us that she enjoys art very much as a hobby because of the break it provides her from sports and schoolwork. That's a good point, Hayden; art doesn't have to be a career choice, necessarily. Sometimes it’s just so uplifting to have art be an escape or break from everyday life. Like Hayden says, "I enjoy the freedom." We surely can relate. Hayden is still figuring out her future plans but says art will be going with her wherever she ends up. Way to go, Hayden! We're sure you'll do well in whatever you decide to do. 

Gabi Nowicki, who is the Student of the Month for visual art, is a Junior from Whitehouse. Her proud parents are Christie and Andy Nowicki. Gabi tells us that she enjoys creating art because it gives her a safe space to create in total freedom. She informed us that she has participated in the Anthony Wayne area art shows. Gabi isn't exactly sure where she is attending college yet but is thinking of pursuing a career in accounting. We here at AWAAC wish you the best of luck, Gabi, and hope you continue to find peace and freedom in the creative process. Like your parents, we at AWAAC are so proud of you!

Mia Przybylski is the Student of the Month in performance art. Judging by the information she provided AWAAC, Mia is the overachieving daughter of proud parents, Tom and Natalie Przybylski. Having started her musical journey long ago, Mia has been taking piano lessons for twelve years. Starting with that creative spark, Mia has grown to love not only playing musical instruments, like the flute and piccolo, but has grown to love singing. She has sung at Carnegie Hall in New York and performed with the Marching Generals at Disney World and Chicago. She says that the friends she has made while learning and performing have become like a second family to her. In what I thought was a classy move, Mia made sure to credit her grandparents, parents, and teachers, Mr. Young, Mr. Ladd, and Ms. Dye for helping her further her musical career. After graduation, Mia plans on studying music education at Bowling Green State University. Mia, I think it goes without saying, you got this; I'm sure you'll be very successful. 

Our March Student of the Month in performing art is Senior, Alex Geiger. Alex is the son of proud parents, Bill and Tricia of Maumee. Alex told us that he enjoys playing and practicing music in order to improve his skills. He is especially fond of all the friends and memories his involvement in the music scene has given him. While at Anthony Wayne, Alex has participated in marching band, honors band, solo and ensemble. This fall, Alex plans on attending Bowling Green State University where he says he wants to try out for the drumline. Good Luck, Alex! We at AWAAC are sure you'll succeed in whatever you set your mind to. 

The March Student of the Month in visual art is Gage Hall of Monclova. Is the son of proud parents, Brian and Jaime Hall. Gage told us that he likes the freedom of art and thinks it's pretty cool to create something from nothing. He likes to take his time and put effort into whatever he is doing in order to make it just that much better. Gage hopes to further his education and someday work in a nature-related field. He thinks nature and art go hand-in-hand. I couldn't agree more! In addition to art, Gage also likes football and baseball and likes using photography to make digital collages. You sound like an interesting guy to us, Gage. Good luck in whatever you do!

This month we honor visual artist, Ariana Layson. A resident of Monclova, Ariana is the daughter of Andrea Young. Ariana shares “I love to paint, draw, and just partake in art because it's an activity I can do to relax. I love that I have full creative freedom with most of my art projects and that I can express myself and my creativity within my art.” 

After graduation Ariana plans to attend a four-year University. She is currently leaning towards Ohio University to major in marketing. 

Our performance artist of the month for April is Benjamin Reinhard. Ben is a Whitehouse native and his parents are Kirk Reinhard and Angie Reinhard. Ben totally enjoys music. He states, “You can always continue to get better. You can make great music when you are by yourself and when you are playing in a group. Music can improve your own and other people’s wellbeing.” 

Ben is an accomplished musician with many positive experiences in high school. He performed in the District 1 Honors Band in his junior and senior years. He was the first chair in his senior year. He has also been in Anthony Wayne’s premiere concert band, Symphonic Winds for all four years of high school serving as the first-chair trumpet player since his sophomore year. Rounding out his high school career he received 12 superior ratings in the OMEA Solo & Ensemble events.

Ben will be attending The Ohio State University where he will be majoring in Integrated Language Arts/English Education. He will try out for the OSU marching band and plans to play in a concert band there. 

We say good luck to Ariana and Ben in everything you do!