The Art/Music Students of the Month program, which is sponsored by the Anthony Wayne Area Arts Commission, is designed to recognize outstanding visual art and performing arts/music students at Anthony Wayne High School. Through this program, AWAAC wishes to encourage and support these emerging art/music students in all their endeavors.
Each month from October through May, a visual arts student and a music/performing arts student will be selected by the high school art and music teachers to receive this special honor. Chosen students will receive a certificate of honor and gift cards to local businesses from AWAAC. Also, all selected students will be recognized at school art and music programs.
This program is funded through a generous grant from the Waterville Community Foundation and additional funds contributed by the Anthony Wayne Area Arts Commission.
The students to receive this honor for the month of October are
Lexie Middaugh (visual arts) and Rachel Hoose (music/performing arts).
Lexie Middaugh is a senior at Anthony Wayne High School who lives in Maumee. When asked why she enjoys the visual arts, Lexie shares, “I love to create new things.” She has participated in many of Anthony Wayne Schools art shows and performed as a member of the Marching Generals for all four years in high school.
Lexie plans to attend BGSU to obtain her bachelor’s degree in animation. She is the daughter of Rickie Middaugh and Tim Redner.
Rachel Hoose is also a senior at AWHS from Monclova. When reflecting on her musical experiences Rachel shares “I enjoy creating music because it can be filled with so much emotion. I am so privileged to be able to give people feelings of joy or remorse or happiness or sadness through music. It is truly an amazing experience and has been formative for making who I am today.”
She has participated in the 2023 District I Honors Band and District I Solo and Ensemble, where she received 7 superior ratings over 4 years of high school. Rachel sits first chair clarinet in Anthony Wayne’s Symphonic Winds and performs with the Anthony Wayne Marching Generals.
Rachel is the daughter of Jody and Brian Hoose. Upon graduation, she plans on attending college for biology, marine biology, or zoology with the intent to become a marine researcher.
The students to receive this honor for the month of November are Charlotte Keating
(visual arts) and Lucas Willis (music/performing arts).
Charlotte is a sophomore at Anthony Wayne High School who lives in Monclova. When asked why she enjoys the visual arts, Charlotte shares, “I love to draw dragons. My favorite medium is water brush markers/alcohol markers.”
Charlotte plans to attend college majoring in either art or creative writing.
She is the daughter of Kate and Kris Keating.
Lucas is a student at AWHS from Waterville. When reflecting on his musical experiences Lucas shares “I enjoy music because I find it as a way to express myself in a way that’s special to me, and only I have the sound on the saxophone that I have, that is unique to me.”
He has made All State Band and received 11 superior ratings in small and large group solos and ensembles. Eight of these honors were Class A music.
Lucas is the son of Jo Heinold and Kevin Willis. Upon graduation, he plans on attending Ohio State or UPenn for Actuarial Science, but he does plan on continuing playing the saxophone and participating in music whenever possible.
Artwork by Charlotte Keating
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The students to receive this honor for the month of December are Aislinn Clouse (visual arts) and Foster Thompson (music/performing arts).
Aislinn is a senior at Anthony Wayne High School who lives in Waterville. When asked why she enjoys the visual arts, Aislinn shares, “I like how open and free arts are. They can be used to express yourself, your feelings, current topics in the world etc. It’s an outlet for most people and adopts feelings of comfortability and understanding.” Aislinn’s ceramic artwork was shown in local art shows.
Aislinn plans to attend college majoring in either English, Biology or Art. She is the daughter of Brooke Hertzfeld and Zachary Clouse.
Foster is a junior at AWHS from Waterville. When reflecting on her musical experiences, Foster shares “When it comes to music there are endless possibilities. Music has created a safe place for me in the last couple of years and has helped me grow along the way. I wasn't always sure of what my own personal talent would be, but I still remember the day I picked up a guitar and played like there was no tomorrow. That day changed a lot for me. I went to an arts school for two years then came back to Anthony Wayne and figured that I had a passion for singing and music. I auditioned for Close Harmony my freshman year and made it in, and from there I've only been more involved than ever. My whole motto is Being involved because you're never really aware of the good memories you have until after the moment has passed."
Foster’s interest in music grew throughout her career in school. In her 6th grade year, she participated in the Musical "Elf Jr." and was in several guitar classes. In high school Foster joined Close Harmony, Concert Band, Marching Band, Symphonic Winds and Pep Band. He participated in Solo en Ensemble for both choir and band, receiving superior ratings on tuba and vocal solo and an excellent rating on brass sextet. She was also in the musical production "Once Upon a Mattress" as the Jester role, got involved in FCCLA with a 2nd in the national ranking, and played broomball. This year, she is also in Symphonic Chorale, and Ciel Voix. She continues to work hard to strive for the ultimate musical experience.
Foster is the daughter of Marie Martin and Tony Martin. Upon graduation, she plans on going to college. She is interested in studying either musical education at the high school level or going into Neuropsychology.
The students to receive this honor for the month of January are Ava Schimpf (visual arts) and Tyler (TJ) Miller (music/performing arts).
Ava is a junior at Anthony Wayne High School who lives in Maumee. When asked why she enjoys the visual arts, Ava shares, “I’ve always enjoyed art as a passion and hobby and enjoyed taking classes in high school.”
Ava plans to attend college and is interested in marketing. She is the daughter of Tina and Steve Schimpf.
TJ is a senior at AWHS from Waterville. When reflecting on his musical experiences, TJ shares “I love being in the community of friends while using our gifts to create wonderful music.”
TJ has been very involved with school choirs and drama department since middle school. He currently performs with the high school choirs Close Harmony Vocal Acapella and Terra Voci/Tenor Bass, along with involvement with AWHS plays and musicals, including the upcoming Mamma Mia! production.
TJ is the son of JP & Deanne Miller. Upon graduation, he plans to attend Bowling Green State University to become a math teacher and continue his interest in music with additional classes.
This month, AWAAC is proud to honor Jennifer Witt (visual art) and Jackson Christian Peterson (performance art).
Jennifer Witt, who likes to go by Jenn, is a senior who lives in Swanton with her parents, Dawn and Chris. Jenn enjoys creating one-of-a-kind artistic pieces and feels pride in gauging her improvement over the past few years. Jenn told us that not only does she enjoy creating visual art, she also likes to play her saxophone in the school band. Jenn says she plans on furthering her formal education after high school and eventually pursuing a career in finance and cosmetology. We all wish her the best of luck in wherever the road may take her. Congratulations, Jenn!
Jackson Christian Peterson is a senior from Maumee. He is the son of proud parents, Helene and Lauren. Jackson loves the opportunity to express himself through music. He can play musical instruments as well as sing, and enjoys doing both with his friends. Jackson is unsure what the future holds for him, but says he might continue his formal education at Bowling Green State University or possibly go into the trades and become a finish carpenter. Whatever he does, we hope he attacks it with as much passion and care as he has his music. Congratulations, Jackson!
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All of us here at AWAAC are proud to announce the AWAAC Students of the Month for March, 2024, Amelia Cappel (visual art), and Joshua Worland (performance art.)
Amelia Cappel is a sophomore from Whitehouse where she lives with proud parents, Abbey and Joe Cappel. Amelia told us that to her, art is all about personal style and freedom. We couldn't agree more! Amelia says she uses art to experiment and view the world in a different way. After high school, Amelia would love to continue her art education and perhaps study business. All of us at AWAAC are sure she will continue to make us all proud wherever her journey takes her. Congratulations Amelia!
Joshua Worland is a senior from Monclova. He is the son of parents, Mike and Angela Worland. Joshua informed us that one of his greatest thrills in music is practicing as an individual and then coming together with like-minded individuals to make something great and powerful. Joshua has participated in numerous Anthony Wayne High School band concerts, as well as many music festivals, and has even sat in with the Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestra. Pretty impressive, Joshua! After high school, Joshua plans on attending The Ohio State University and studying biomedical engineering while possibly minoring in music. We at AWAAC wish him all the luck in the world in whatever he decides to do. Congratulations, Joshua!
This month we honor visual artist, Trinity Nowicki. A lifelong resident of Whitehouse, Trinity is the daughter of Andrew and Christie Nowicki. Trinity, like many visual artists, enjoys the variety and endless possibilities of art. She enjoys being prolific and knows there are so many things to create! Trinity will be attending Kennesaw State, in Georgia, where she will be playing softball and continuing her studies. All of us at AWAAC say good luck Trinity, and GO OWLS!
Our performance artist of the month for April is Gregory Miller. Gregory is a Waterville native where he lives with parents, Charlene and David Miller. Gregory finds emotion in music and says he loves to listen to different parts of a song and figure out why the performers performed it the way they did. He says that not only is it about listening, but feeling and understanding the message the artists are attempting to convey. Wow, we couldn't agree more! Gregory will be attending THE Ohio State University where he will be studying mechanical engineering. While there, Gregory says he plans on trying out for the Ohio State Marching Band - the best "darn" band in the land! We say, GOOD LUCK GREGORY...in everything you do!
Our visual artist of the month is Monclova resident, Carly Hemmelgarn. She is the daughter of Jason and Casey Hemmelgarn. Carly is no stranger to the student art world; she has shown and competed in numerous local, juried art shows, and has even shown her art as far away as Fort Wayne, Indiana. She is currently working on illustrating a children's book for a local author, who happens to be a family friend. Carly told us that she loves using the creative process to destress and unwind. There is nothing better to her than getting lost in her work. Carly had plans to study anthropology/archeology or environmental conservation at an institute of higher learning yet to be determined. Wherever life take Carly, she assured us that art and music will go with her! We couldn't be happier to hear that. Good luck, Carly!
Our performance artist of the month lets no grass grow under his feet. Austin Wilson, of Waterville, has been in about every band and band function that Anthony Wayne schools had to offer, including the marching, jazz, pep, and concert bands, to name just a few. The son of proud parents, Jennifer and Brian Wilson, Austin has performed in numerous local shows and competitions where he has been awarded a superior rating for his talent on the baritone saxophone! How cool is that? Austin plans on attending the United States Naval Academy and studying astronautical engineering, and maybe even joining the academy's drum and bugle corps. Seemingly meticulous in nature, Austin told us that he enjoys working out tiny details in music to make the performance better or figure out the perfect place to put his own special twist on it. Sounds like a very talented young man to us! Good luck to you, Austin. We're sure you'll make us proud!
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