ChiArts Commencement 2024

THE CHICAGO HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS’ 12th CLASS OF GRADUATES

ChiArts 2024 class

of MAY 28, 2024 - 7:00 PM

PROGRAM OF EVENTS

PRESHOW MUSIC

ChiArts Jazz Combo

PROCESSION

Platform Party, Faculty, Graduates

WELCOME ADDRESS

Duffie A. Adelson, ChiArts School Board Chair

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S ADDRESS

Tina Boyer Brown

FOUNDER’S AWARD RECOGNITION

ChiArts’ Physical Education, Health, & Driver’s Ed Department

2024 Recipients, Oscar Muñoz, James Salazar, Drew Steger

FOCUS AWARD RECOGNITION

Fostering Outstanding Creativity by Uplifting Students

2024 Recipients, Levizadik Buckins, ChiArts Dance Faculty

Meredith Nieuwsma, ChiArts School Counselor

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S ADDRESS

Greer Reed

PARENT SUPPORT ORGANIZATION (PSO) RECOGNITION

Kanika Glover, Assistant Principal

SEAL OF BILITERACY RECOGNITION

Guadalupe León & Kevin Ramirez, Academic Faculty

ACADEMIC RECOGNITION

Pavielle Driver, Principal

SALUTATORIAN ADDRESS

Caitlin Burns

VALEDICTORIAN ADDRESS

Nora McDermott

2024 COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER

Dr. Kimberly C. Ellis

DIPLOMA CONFERRAL

Kenyatta Rogers, Creative Writing Conservatory

Tracey Franklin, Dance Conservatory

Anthony Bruno, Music Conservatory

Lauren Wells-Mann, Theatre Conservatory

Chris Lin Dao-Heng, Visual Arts Conservatory

PRINCIPAL’S ADDRESS

Pavielle Driver

RECESSION

Platform Party, Faculty, Graduates

FOUNDER’S AWARD RECIPIENTS

Oscar Muñoz is a 13th year ChiArts teacher with a BSEd in Physical Education from Northern Illinois University, and a Masters degree in Learning & Technology from Western Governors University. He is certified in grades K-12. He has completed two Ironman triathlons and over 130 different races. Mr. Muñoz enjoys photography, traveling, being outdoors, and spending time with his family.

James Salazar is a 14th year ChiArts teacher with a BSEd in Physical Education from Northern Illinois University, certified grades K-12, and a minor in secondary Health Education. Mr. Salazar enjoys staying active, spending time with his two children, and working on his long list of hobbies.

Drew Steger is a 14th year ChiArts teacher with a BSEd in Physical Education from Illinois State University, where he received his Driver Education and Safety endorsement. Mr. Steger previously taught at Downers Grove South High School and York High School.

FOCUS AWARD RECIPIENTS

Levizadik Buckins, ChiArts Dance Faculty, began his dance education at the Educational Center, for the Arts in New Haven, Connecticut. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, under the direction of Ethan Stiefel. During his time at UNCSA, he worked with choreographers such as Brenda Daniels, Trish Casey, and Diego Schoch. He has also had the chance to work with well-known choreographers Maurya Kerr, Larry Keigwin, Scott Rink, and Trish Lent. He has performed professionally with the Winston-Salem Festival of Ballet under the direction of Gary Taylor in North Carolina, and River North Dance Chicago under the direction of Frank Chaves.

Meredith Nieuwsma, ChiArts’ School Counselor, is a licensed professional counselor and holds a professional educator license endorsed for school counseling. She has over 14 years of experience working in public and private therapeutic school settings in addition to providing pediatric therapy. Ms. Nieuwsma has extensive experience working with diverse learners and neurodivergent populations focusing on social emotional development, academic achievement strategies, and developing the skills and tools they need to be their best selves.

2024 COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER

DR. KIMBERLY C. ELLIS

Kimberly C. Ellis, Ph.D. is a Scholar of American and Africana Studies, an Artist, Activist and Entrepreneur, as well as a playwright, world traveler and international thought leader on culture, gender and social technology. As a playwright and performer, she toured across the United States with her One Woman Show and presented her latest play, “AfroRoma, a Love Story,” in readings in Memphis, Atlanta, Pittsburgh and Ghana at the National Theatre of Ghana. She is also the founder of the civic tech project, #BlackPoliticsMatter, the co-founder of #AskaSista, the author of the upcoming book, “The Bombastic Brilliance of Black Twitter,” the creator of #ATripOffTheOldBlock, chronicling her world travels and group trips, and the producer of “You’re Beautiful to Me,” a feature documentary film chronicling the journey with her Mother’s dementia.

As a scholar and public intellectual, Dr. Kimberly Ellis has helped to co-design the new, Frankie Pace Park, a part of the “Reconnecting Communities” legislation.

As the maternal niece of the late, great playwright, August Wilson, and having grown up on his plays in the famed, Historic Hill District that serves as the setting for the majority of of Wilson dramas, Dr. Ellis is an expert on his works, as both a scholar and practitioner. Dr. Ellis taught the first seminar course on August Wilson at the University of Pittsburgh, as well as the first seminar course on Wilson at Carnegie Mellon University.

She also served on the National Historic register committee for the August Wilson House and is currently working on a marker for the Freedom House Ambulance Service, the first modern paramedics in US History and from her Historic Hill District Community.

In 2021, Dr. Ellis was hired first, as an Artistic and Historical Consultant and then brought on as a full-time employee, as the Director of Community, Arts and Culture for The Buccini/Pollin Group, the developers of the Lower Hill Redevelopment. She can be found on LinkedIn and at DrKimberlyEllis.com.

every ChiArts graduate has completed college-preparatory academics & 2,500 hours of pre-professional arts training.

PRESENTING THE Creative Writing GRADUATES

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2024

Ezan Charo

Eleanor Coughlin

Ava Dean

Kevin Duran

Halle Grey

Savannah Harmon

Trinity Matias

Ayva-Renee Morales

Jocelyn Rivera^

Kimberly Valle*^

Spookie Zigler

*Spanish Honors Society ^Seal of Biliteracy Recipient

PRESENTING THE dance GRADUATES

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2024

Hayley Alexander

Zarea Alston

Davion Bellinger-Malone

AbbeyRose Bermejo

Laniyah Boston

Tristan Campbell

D’Nariyae Cephus

Jeremiah Davis

Destiny Diaz

Taylor Ebenezer

Sofia Garcia

Imani Harris++

Autumn Marron++

Stella May

Tyra Outlaw

Jaelynn Perez

Mikayla Perez

Mercedes Rabadan

Mikalitza Ramos^

Samuel Reider

Sophia Rivera*

Naija Sherwood

Pen Silvia++

Hannah Slaughter

Sabrina Villanueva*

Honestee Williams

*Spanish Honors Society ^Seal of Biliteracy Recipient

PRESENTING THE music GRADUATES

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2024

Angel Alday

Zion Avila

William Bernard

Amelio Bes

Caitlin Burns

Tommy Carrasco

Ingrid Catalan

Triniti Cole

Kiersten Cooper

Mi’ky Crowley

Noelia DiMario

Noah Donahue

Victoria Flores

Jacqueline Freeman

Mateo Galban

Bennett Gonzalez

Kalei Green

Giovani Ibarra

Desi Kaercher

Daniel Martinez

Fabrizio Milcent

Eliana Moloney

Jasmine Neeley

Jordan Oliver

Anna Pacocha

Kristin Payne

Emeline Peña

Daniel Perez

Myshona Phillips

Hannah Ptak

Cesar Rivera^

Crystal Roman^

Sofia Salazar

Adani Sanchez^

Ilanna Sosa

Devin Taylor

Daniel Tolbert

Caitlyn Tomasino

Nicholas Torres

Coleton Vandervest

Tamyrah Veal

Diego Villanueva

Sofia Villanueva*

Leila Wicklander

Wanye Williams

*Spanish Honors Society ^Seal of Biliteracy Recipient

PRESENTING THE theatre GRADUATES

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2024

Solstice Blanco

Luca Cardenas-Juarez

Fiona Cooke*

Janeci Correa*

Sasha Daughrity

DeAngelo Davis Jr.

Audra Lee Dobiesz

Luiza Elling

Aamina Fields

Morgan Folks

Grace Fowlie

Juniper Frangello-Walthour

Eli Goldfinger

Ja’Niya Harmon

Alisha Hyland

Sathvik Kunigal*

Raina Lewis

Takiyah McMillan

Jamie Mendez

Meadow Meza

Adrianna Morata

Eloise Nelson*^

Gabrielle Oliver*

Juan Popoca Jr.

Xavier Robles

Elena Rupp*

Maya Ruther

Harmoni Smith*

Julia Stern*

Emma Tichy

Neya Truitt*

Abigail Weber

Alexander Weber*

Julz Williams

*Spanish Honors Society ^Seal of Biliteracy Recipient

PRESENTING THE visual arts GRADUATES

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2024

Jayden Baughns

Nicholas Browar

Raegan Carr

Nathaniel Corral

Ixchel Goodhue Cocom*^

Valeria Gutierrez^

Cyrus Hernandez-Nunez

Mia Kiefer

Clark Kiolbassa

Ora Light

Adrian Lopez*^

Eion Magana

Cora Mangual*

Nora McDermott*

Chloe McMullan

Abraham Morales

Ramya Payton

Destiny Plata*

Kassandra Plata^

Tatianna Reynolds

Victoria Toledo^

Isabela Torres^

Jaelin Williams-Presley

Gen Wright

*Spanish Honors Society ^Seal of Biliteracy Recipient

welcome to the ChiArts alumni network

You’re joining an impressive community of 1,700+ artists, scientists, educators, activists, entrepreneurs, & change-makers!

Deja Lynn Poole, Dance ‘17

Commerical Dancer, LA & NYC

Jonathan Herrera Soto, Visual Arts ‘13

Visual Artist & Educator

James Jones, Music ‘15 Associate Attorney, Winston & Strawn

Ravyn Lenae, Music ‘17

Recording Artist, Atlantic Records

The ChiArts Alumni Network is an initiative funded by the ChiArts Foundation. Scan the QR code to RSVP for the alum summer mixer, Instagram, and newsletter! Learn more at chiartsfoundation.org.

CHIARTS ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP

Executive Director - Tina Boyer Brown

Principal - Pavielle Driver

Artistic Director - Greer Reed

Assistant Principal - Kanika Glover

Dean of Students - Hedgar Giron

Director of Operations - Ursula McGregory

Director of Production - Mark J. Bracken Jr.

Admissions Manager - Rogelio Castro

SUPPORT STAFF

Post Secondary Counselor - Danielle Jefferson

Social Worker - Amanda Near

School Counselor - Meredith Nieuwsma

Recruitment Coordinator - Bree Perry

Communication & Support Coordinator - Mike Przygoda

Registrar - Kinita Redmond

Case Manager - Vernon Rogers

Bilingual Education, ELPT - Lee Ann Silva

Associate Production Manager - Aidan Smith

Office Coordinator - Channon Washington

ACADEMIC FACULTY

ENGLISH

Danae Graham - Joseph Hermanek - Filip Lewandowski

Dara Miller - Megan Pietz - Andrew Holt Van Herik

MATH

Aaron Brown - Elizabeth Fawbush - Allison Filbin

Karoly Keefe - Andrew Paluck - Megan Riley

SCIENCE

Paul Dorney - John Jarosz - Brian Palmsone

Jennifer Peppers - Sunny Yun

SOCIAL STUDIES

Alexander Cookman - Emily Maassen - Rachel Maroulis

Matthew Tucker - Joseph Wagner - Bethany Wassink

WORLD LANGUAGES

Oscar Guzman - Juan Herrera - Guadalupe León - Kevin Ramirez

PHYSICAL

EDUCATION,

HEALTH, DRIVER’S ED

Oscar Muñoz - James Salazar - Drew Steger

SPECIALIZED SERVICES

Dr. Sunni Ali - Meg Arbeiter - Daniel Dwyer - Katie Eppinger

Jennifer B. Larson - Marshall Roupp - Julia Spearman

CREATIVE WRITING CONSERVATORY

Department Head - Kenyatta Rogers

Department Assistant - Avery Ferin

Instructors

Lee Edwards - Avery Ferin - David Mathews - Emoonah McClerkin

Cecilia Pinto - Jenna Reasner - Kenyatta Rogers

Fernando Saldivia Yanez - Jeremy T. Wilson

DANCE CONSERVATORY

Department Head - Tracey Franklin Department Assistant - David Mathews

Instructors & Accompanists

Maan Almodovar - Tosha Alston - Levizadik Buckins - John Chapman

Zineb Chraibi - Imani English - Tracey Franklin - Robin Gayle

Greer Hutchison - Kenneth Russell - Nicole Scatchell - Ted Seymour

MUSIC CONSERVATORY

Department Head - Anthony Bruno

Department Assistant - Dr. Brooks Truly

Instructors

Carl Aagesen - Melissa Arning - Gerald Bailey - Jordyn Birden - Anthony Bruno

Allison Bystrom - Thomas Clippert - Crofton Coleman - Kyle Anthony Cortés

Gustavo Cortiñas - Rebecca Faber - Matthew Jarosch - Erica Lessie

Taylor Mallory - Kyle Paul - Patrick Rehker - Andrew Ritchie

John Sutton - Christian Swan - Charles Taylor - Dr. Brooks Truly

THEATRE CONSERVATORY

Department Head - Lauren Wells-Mann

Department Assistant - Josh Zambrano

Instructors

Tosha Alston - David Blixt - Mark J. Bracken Jr. - Crofton Coleman - Justice Ford

Raymond Goodall - Christian Helem - Risha Hill - Tessa Hoffman

Kathy Scambiatterra - Nicole Scatchell - Grey Sindaco

Rachel Slavick - Jason Sperling - Shawn Wallace - Lauren Wells-Mann

Dereque Whiturs - Josh Zambrano

VISUAL ARTS CONSERVATORY

Department Head - Chris Lin Dao-Heng

Department Assistant - Patrick Lentz

Instructors

Luke Allswede - Rebecca Baruc - Lexie Cicale - Elizabeth Cote

Sarabeth Dunton - Eliza Fernand - Patrick Lentz - Chris Lin Dao-Heng

Claire Moore - Andrea Reyes - Joan Roach - Beth Roman - Caitlin Ryan

Frank Vega - Casey Weldon - Alyssa Wright

CHIARTS SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair - Duffie A. Adelson

Vice Chair - Karen Fishman

Secretary - Janette Cortes-Duewel

Treasurer - Peter Fidler

Carlos Azcoitia - Michael Crawford - Carmen Echevarria

Christine Gallagher - Bill Gerstein - Ronald B. Grais* - Sabrina King

Kay Mabie - John McCambridge - Michelle Pierre-Farid^

Mirja Spooner Haffner* - Yulinda Rahman^

*Ex-Officio Directors ^Parent Representatives

CHIARTS FOUNDATION STAFF

Executive Director - Johnny Merrifield

Executive Coordinator - Greer Hutchison

Director of Development - Bryan Dowling

Program Manager - Karina Quintana

Program Communications Intern - Ericka Henderson

Director of Strategic Communications & Marketing - Natasha Mraz

Grants Coordinator - Jo Marie Sison

Database Administrator - Megan Sauve

CHIARTS FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair - Mirja Spooner Haffner

Vice Chair - Gary Metzner

Secretary - Erin Clifford

Treasurer - Christina Huizar

Duffie A. Adelson* - Steven Collens - Elissa Hamid Efroymson - Arnett Faulkner

Peter Fidler*^ - Ronald B. Grais - Sandra Guthman - John Hart

Betsy Holden - Tom Hurvis - Chardai Johnson - Pamela Johnson

Avril Klaff - Marshall Lindsey - Samera Ludwig - David Mabie

Michael McIntosh - Sylvia Neil - Jonathan Plotkin

Amisha Rigia - Lisa Simmons^ - John Yonover

*Ex-Officio Directors ^ChiArts Alum Parent

SPECIAL THANK YOU

Thank you to the 2024 ChiArts School Board of Directors, ChiArts Foundation Board of Directors, ChiArts Foundation staff, ChiArts Parent Support Organization (PSO), and the Harris Theater for Music and Dance for all their support, time, and generosity. ChiArts would also like to give a special thank you to our academic faculty, arts faculty, and support staff who are celebrating five and 10+ years at ChiArts. Thank you for your incredible dedication and impact on ChiArts’ legacy.

Thank you to 2023-24 ChiArts Photographer, Oscar Muñoz, Academic Faculty.

ChiArts' five arts conservatories are donor-funded through the ChiArts Foundation.

If you have been inspired by ChiArts, make a donation at chiartsfoundation.org or use the qr code.