Students of the Month Program

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.

 The students to receive this honor for the month of October, 2022-23 are Jocelyn Neff

(visual arts) and Nick Steinke (music/performing arts). 

Jocelyn Neff is a student at Anthony Wayne High School who lives in Monclova. When reflecting on her devotion to the visual arts, Jocelyn states, “I enjoy art because through creating it, art has taught me patience, critical thinking skills, and has won me a great deal of friends.”

Jocelyn plans to attend Ohio University where she can ultimately put her creativity to use in a profession, obtaining her BFA in art education. The prospect of teaching art is a future goal for Jocelyn. She is the daughter of Jacqueline and Phillip Neff.  

Nick Steinke is a student at AWHS from Monclova. He is actively involved in music as a member of the Anthony Wayne Marching Generals Band. He is a marching band squad leader, marched in the Magnificent Mile parade in Chicago and plays in the symphonic winds. 

Nick participated in OMEA Large Group State Contest to help achieve a superior rating for the symphonic winds and participated at OMEA Solo and Ensemble.

Nick shared, “I enjoy making music because it is a great way to express myself and I have had such a fun time and created so many great memories in the band throughout the years.”  

Nick is the son of Tom and Kathy Steinke. Upon graduation, he plans to attend college and study environmental sciences.

The students to receive this honor for the month of November are Kela Grooms

(visual art) and Teya Marshall (music/performing arts). 

Kela Grooms is a student at Anthony Wayne High School who lives in Monclova. When reflecting on her enjoyment of the visual arts, Kela states, “I personally love both art and music for the freedom they offer. Nothing is truly wrong because there is no right way.”

After high school Kela is hoping to gain an apprenticeship as a machinist.

She is the daughter of Neal and Kris Grooms.  

Teya Marshall is a student at AWHS from Waterville. Teya is active in AWHS choir. She shares “I love choir because it's a great escape from school and my difficult classes.  Going from Honors pre-calc to Close Harmony is like a breath of fresh air.  Also, so much credit needs to go to my teacher.  Mr. Roos is my favorite teacher by far, he always makes what we do enjoyable and fun.”

Teya is the daughter of Chris and Kim Marshall. Upon graduation, she will be attending IUP to play college softball and major in exercise science to become a Physical therapist. 

The students to receive this honor for the month of December are Kaden Mulkey

(visual art) and Audrey Mohr (music/performing arts). 

Kaden Mulkey is a honor student at Anthony Wayne High School who lives in Neapolis. When reflecting on his enthusiasm about visual arts, Kaden states, “Art is my outlet. I may not have the raw talent to draw something with a pencil but with my love for technology and my explosive creative mindset, something unique is created. Art has always helped me show what I call "The Design of My Mind." In art everything is never the same, and that's what I love about it because that’s the most accurate depiction of my life. Art is just a way for me to project these ambient and chaotic visions to the world, and I love to see what I can continue to do with it.”

Kaden currently teaches tumbling and gymnastics and loves it. His plans for the future are to either attend UT or Owens for Athletic Science. He hopes to coach full time and pursue music and art on the side.
He is the son of Michelle Mulkey-Parker and Dennis Mulkey II.  

Audrey Mohr is a student at AWHS from Waterville. Audrey is active in the Anthony Wayne Marching Band. She plays bass drum and is a squad leader for the Percussion section. She is also in Close Harmony and Symphonic Chorale. She performed in the AWHS production of The Addams Family last year and was in The Pirates of Penzance at her former junior high in Indiana. 

She shares “I have been in love with music and singing ever since I can remember. I love how you can piece notes or sounds together seemingly at random, yet it still makes a beautiful piece of art.”

Audrey is the daughter of Linda and Paul Mohr. Upon graduation, she plans to continue her education at Cedarville University to study social work.  

  The students to receive this honor for the month of January are Hannah Rizzo

(visual arts) and TJ Miller (music/performing arts). 

Hannah Rizzo is a senior at Anthony Wayne High School who lives in Waterville. Hannah shares, “I have always enjoyed the ability to produce art. Art changes people and their emotions on topics. For me, making art allows me to spend time with God and display his work and love for us.”

Hannah’s plans for the future include attending the University of Calvin to major in art education and to continue to play lacrosse.

She is the daughter of Matthew and Jessica Rizzo. 

TJ Miller is a student at AWHS from Waterville. TJ has been very involved with school choirs and drama department, from Legally Blonde Jr. and Frozen Jr, along with various choirs in middle and junior high school. He is a member of Close Harmony Vocal Jazz and Terra Voci/Tenor Bass at the High School. TJ continues his involvement with the plays and musicals, including the upcoming Once Upon A Mattress, Feb 16-18. @awchoirs @awcloseharmony on Instagram and Youtube.

He states “I love being in the community of friends while using our gifts to create wonderful music.”

Although he has not selected a college yet, he plans to become a math teacher.

TJ is the son of JP & Deanne Miller.

Congratulations to these exceptional Art/Music Students of the Month!

The students to receive this honor for the month of February are Brooklyn Patchen

(visual arts) and Trent Meiring (music/performing arts). 

Brooklyn Patchen is a seniorat Anthony Wayne High School who lives in Whitehouse. Brooklyn shares, “What I enjoy about art is that I get to be creative and it’s something fun to do. I have been in many art shows since I was younger and will have even more showcased at this year's art show.”

Brooklyn’s plans for the future include attending Creighton University and playing softball. She is currently undecided on a major. She is the daughter of Sara and Travis Patchen. 

Trent Meiring is a senior at AWHS from Monclova. He plays the trombone and loves his music experiences. He enjoys all aspects of the arts including visual arts and has been in many art shows as a younger student.

Although he has not selected a college yet, he plans to major in biomedical engineering and minoring in music. Trent is the son of Stacey and Jordan Meiring.

 The students to receive this honor for the month of March are Kacee Johnson

(visual arts) and Brandy Outly (music/performing arts). 

Kacee Johnson is a freshman at Anthony Wayne High School who lives in Whitehouse. Kacee shares, “I enjoy the freedom and the different levels of expression that people can show through the art that they create.  Everyone's individual style shows you hundreds of different ways creativity can express their feelings, thoughts and emotions through art.”

Looking toward her future, Kacee states “I want my future to encompass my desire to create and build. My dream is to be accepted into Michigan State University and play lacrosse for them in addition to being a member of their competitive archery team.

She is the daughter of Karen and Lonnie Johnson. 

Brandy Outly is a senior at AWHS from Whitehouse. Music is a big part of her life and she shares “Music has given me an outlet to channel my focus and passion, and it's so cool to look back and realize how I have progressed as a vocalist and performer. It motivates me to continue putting effort and time not only into singing but many other areas of my life. I also love learning, and the years I've spent participating in choirs and taking vocal lessons have given me so many opportunities to learn from distinguished musicians. Choir has given me a way to meet so many new people, too, and to first meet people by doing something as special as making music together has helped me create meaningful friendships very quickly.”

She has been in Close Harmony the last three years and currently serves as the president. She is also president of the Interact Club. Brandy plans to continue to participate in choir and music during her time in college and beyond. She was accepted into OMEA All-State Choir and the Honors Performance Series Honor Choir at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia, so she will be participating in both of those this year.

Brandy plans to attend Kenyon College to study Psychology, French, and Music and run cross country and track. She is the daughter of Cheri and Ken Outly.