ChiArts 2023 class of MAY 30, 2023 - 7:00 PM HARRIS THEATER FOR MUSIC AND DANCE @CHIARTSHS #CHIARTSGRAD2023 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY FOR THE CHICAGO HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS’ 11th CLASS OF GRADUATES
PROGRAM OF EVENTS
PRESHOW MUSIC
ChiArts Jazz Combo
PROCESSION
Platform Party, Faculty, Graduates
WELCOME ADDRESS
Duffie A. Adelson, Interim ChiArts School Board Chair
FOUNDER’S AWARD RECOGNITION
Presented by Tina Boyer Brown, Artistic Director
2023 Recipient, Duffie A. Adelson
STUDENT PERFORMANCE
ChiArts Wind Trio
ACADEMIC RECOGNITION
VALEDICTORIANS, Anais Duewel - Molly McHugh - Priscila Rodriguez
SALUTATORIANS, Nekaybaw Blunt - Sebastian Sorrondeguy - Auttum Thomas
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL’S ADDRESS
Dr. Tiffanie McLeary
STUDENT PERFORMANCE
Caileigh Winslade, Creative Writing ‘23
VALEDICTORIAN ADDRESS
Anais Duewel - Molly McHugh - Priscila Rodriguez
SEAL OF BILITERACY RECOGNITION
Chris Cashman, Academic Faculty
INAUGURAL FOCUS AWARD RECOGNITION
Fostering Outstanding Creativity by Uplifting Students
2023 Recipient, Betsy Ko
2023 COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
Betsy Ko
DIPLOMA CONFERRAL
Chris Lin Dao-Heng, Visual Arts Conservatory
Kenyatta Rogers, Creative Writing Conservatory
Greer A. Reed, Dance Conservatory
Anthony Bruno, Music Conservatory
Lauren Wells-Mann, Theatre Conservatory
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S ADDRESS
Tina Boyer Brown
RECESSION
Platform Party, Faculty, Graduates
duffie A. adelson
2023 FOUNDER’S AWARD RECIPIENT CHIARTS INTERIM SCHOOL BOARD CHAIR
Duffie A. Adelson has been privileged to have served on ChiArts’ board for more than ten years. She currently serves as the school board’s interim board chair. Ms. Adelson spent 33 wonderful years driving and shaping opportunities for student transformation through music education at Merit School of Music, a community music school located in Chicago which is nationally renowned for the caliber of instruction and level of financial support provided to thousands of students annually. She began her tenure with Merit as an instructor in 1982, was appointed associate director in 1987, executive director in 1993, and president in 2007. Under her leadership student population and instructional offerings grew significantly and the organization launched a campaign raising nearly $20 million, allowing the school to purchase its own building and grow its endowment. Prior to her work at Merit, Ms. Adelson directed school music programs in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and Illinois. In addition to serving on ChiArts’ school board, Ms. Adelson currently serves on the boards of the National Guild for Community Arts Education, Merit School of Music (life trustee), the Chicago Philharmonic and the Pilgrim Chamber Players. She is a member of the Radio Committee of classical station, 98.7 WFMT and is a member of the Know Your Chicago Committee of the Graham School, University of Chicago.
betsy ko
INAUGURAL FOCUS AWARD RECIPIENT 2023 COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
CHIARTS FOUNDING FACULTY MEMBER
Betsy Ko is a founding faculty member of ChiArts. Ms. Ko previously served as Music Department Head from 2009 to 2021. She now serves as the ChiArts Band Director and has overseen tremendous growth in that program. In both 2018 and 2023, the ChiArts Wind Ensemble under Ms. Ko’s direction was honored to be recognized as “Best in Day” at the Illinois High School Association’s Organizational Contest. She also conducts the ChiArts Symphony Orchestra, now in its second season. Ms. Ko is a long time flute faculty member at Merit School of Music where she teaches individuals and groups of all levels. She has coached the Purple Hippopotami Flute Quartet for many years and saw that group earn 3rd place in the prestigious M-Prize Chamber Music competition (2018) and a bronze medal at the Fischoff Chamber Music competition (2020). A native of New York, Ms. Ko has been an active performer in the Chicago area since arriving here in 1991. She currently performs with the Northshore Concert Band. Ms. Ko received her Master in Music in Flute Performance from DePaul University where she studied with Mary Stolper. Her undergraduate degree was in Pure Mathematics from Brown University. She additionally holds Illinois Type 10 certification in music.
visual arts GRADUATES
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2023
Daniela
Acevedo-Canales
Angelica
Albarran Romo B
Izekiel Diaz*
Sara Diaz
Ava Eguia
Morgan Gilliard
Cecilia Guzman
Makiyah
Holloway-Dudley
A’Marion Kerr
Lillian Kruder
Maximiliano Kudelka B
Vaysh Kupferer
Enzo Lambides
Mia Lewis
Damien Martinez
Michelle Mejia
Alesandra Miranda
Anysia Nunez
Victoria Perez
Nathan Rivera
Kiana Rodriguez
NyJah Scurlock
Sebastian
Sorrondeguy
Miranda Sustaita
Maeve Sweetman
Auttum Thomas*
Isabella Walker
Amare’ Williamson
*National Honor Society Scholar BSeal of Biliteracy Recipient
^Spanish Honors Society
PRESENTING THE
Creative Writing
GRADUATES
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2023
Kendal Amos
Fontina Battaglia
Qeter Chromy
Nico Crabtree
Sasha Gonzalez
Gael Granados
Cynthia Hedemark
Meleena Monarrez
Inti Navia
Janese Nguyen^
Jeanine Rabadi
Timothy Richie
Elena Rivera
Priscila Rodriguez^
Caileigh Winslade
*National Honor Society Scholar BSeal of Biliteracy Recipient
^Spanish Honors Society
PRESENTING THE
music GRADUATES
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2023
Luis Anaguano
Harrison Barr
Jocelyn Benitez B
Nekaybaw Blunt
Jamond Brown
Jay Cebrero B
Ellen Clapp
Frances Colpoys
Jalen Conley
Jade Crescencio B
Luis De La Cruz
Elizabeth De La Torre
Charles Dunlap
Jonathan Galindo
Gianni Gomez
Gabriela Gonzalez B
Daniel Gutierrez
Tristen Guzman
Olympia Harris
Skylyn Hercules
Helen Huff
Alfie Jackson
Ben Lopez
Mabel Lopez B
Demarion Luellen
Leonardo Milano
Paige Mitchell
Kelly Newsome
Daniel Nguyen
Isabella
Pernalete-Bello
Ana Plummer
Zamora Quintero
Elliot Rodriguez
Gabriella
Roman-Rodriguez*^
Semaje Thornton
Payton White
Chase Wilkins
Brianna Williams
Jamari Williams
Kenia Zertuche B
*National Honor Society Scholar BSeal of Biliteracy Recipient
^Spanish Honors Society
PRESENTING THE
PRESENTING THE dance GRADUATES
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS
OF 2023
Milenka Aurelio^ B B
Kai Beauchamp*
Alexandria Brown*^
Pershy’a Buckner
Marisa Cisneros*^
Maranda Elliott
Janiya Jones*
Isabella LaBorde*^
Mahyla Lewis*
Melania Miller
Keeley Mitchelle*
Crystal Ornelas^ B
Asia Smith
Shunteria Tousant
Raina Wiley
Dorien Young
*National Honor Society Scholar BSeal of Biliteracy Recipient
^Spanish Honors Society
theatre GRADUATES
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2023
Azaria Adams*
Anais Duewel*^ B
Kaiden Duncan
August Garrett
Yeva Guthrie*
Cillian Halbleib*
Joemi Irizarry
Fernando Juarez
Mia Laureano
Carlisle Loevner
Wes Malone
Molly Mchugh^
Cecilia Medina
Evan Nelson
Morgan New^
Cameron Pitchford
Joan Priester
Destiny Robinson
Anaya Roman^
Nelson Roman
Julian Shearer
Nora Sheedy
Sydney Smith
Nikayia Thomas
Abby Vicens
Johnathan Westbrook
Penelope Zimmerman
*National Honor Society Scholar BSeal of Biliteracy Recipient
^Spanish Honors Society
PRESENTING THE
CHIARTS ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP
Principal, Pavielle Driver*
Artistic Director, Tina Boyer Brown
Assistant Principal, Dr. Tiffanie McLeary
Dean of Students, Denton Harris
Assistant Dean of Students, Tracey Franklin
SUPPORT STAFF
Admissions Manager, McKenna Batterson
Director of Production, Mark J Bracken Jr.
Registrar, Ana Ty-ling Caraballo
Recruitment Coordinator, Rogelio Castro
Administrative Assistant to the Principal, Lenise Davenport
Coordinator of Operations and Technology, Ursula McGregory
Clinical Counselor, Bryn Poulton
Associate Production Manager, Mike Przygoda
Office Coordinator, Kinita Redmond
School Counselor, Kaitlyn Tobin
Case Manager, Christine Wietasch
ACADEMIC FACULTY ENGLISH
Meg Arbeiter - Danae Graham - Andrew Holt Van Herik
Filip Lewandowski - Dara Miller - Megan Pietz - Dr. Omar Tabbara
MATH
Allison Filbin - Kelly Jezior - Karoly Keefe - Andrew Paluck
SCIENCE
Paul Dorney - John Jarosz - Joy Layton
Jennifer Peppers - Sunny Yun
SOCIAL STUDIES
Alexander Cookman - Emily Maassen - Rachel Maroulis
Joseph Wagner - Bethany Wassink - Kezia Waters
WORLD LANGUAGES
Chris Cashman - Oscar Guzman - Guadalupe Leon
Beatriz Oliva - Kevin Ramirez
PHYSICAL EDUCATION, HEALTH, DRIVER’S ED
Oscar Muñoz - James Salazar - Drew Steger
SPECIALIZED SERVICES
Dr. Sunni Ali - Daniel Dwyer - Katie Eppinger - Joslyn Holman
Jennifer B. Larson - Brian Palmsone - Ebonee Riley - Jessica Rosenberg
*Principal Driver joins ChiArts 6.1.23
CREATIVE WRITING CONSERVATORY
Department Head, Kenyatta Rogers
Department Assistant, Bessana Kendig Instructors
Emily Eddy - Bessana Kendig - Sophie Goalson
David Mathews - Cecilia Pinto - Kenyatta Rogers
Jeremy T. Wilson - Nick Yokanovich
DANCE CONSERVATORY
Department Head, Greer A. Reed
Department Assistant, David Mathews Instructors & Accompanists
Maan Almodovar - Tosha Alston - Levizadik Buckins - Zineb Chraibi
Imani English - Tracey Franklin - Rob Garrett - Robin Gayle
Allison Harsh - Greer Hutchison - Florence Walker-Harris
Greer A. Reed - Nicole Scatchell - Ted Seymour - Anna Shuba - Terri Woodall
MUSIC CONSERVATORY
Department Head, Anthony Bruno
Department Assistant, Dr. Brooks Truly Band Director, Betsy Ko Instructors
Carl Aagesen - Melissa Arning - Gerald Bailey
Jordyn Birden - Anthony Bruno - Allison Byston - Thomas Clippert
David Corlew - Kyle Anthony Cortés - Gustavo Cortiñas - Matthew Davis
Caitlin Edwards - Rebecca Faber - Tessa Marie Hoffman - Lev Ivanov
Betsy Ko - Jim Konsbruck - Erica Lessie - Taylor Mallory
Caryn Ott Hillman - Matt Recio - Patrick Rehker
Devvora Papatheodorou Schreier - Kurt Shelby - John Sutton
Christian Swan - Charles Taylor - Dr. Brooks Truly - Josh Zambrano
THEATRE CONSERVATORY
Department Head, Lauren Wells-Mann
Department Assistant, Terri Woodall Instructors
Tosha Alston - Ariel Andrew - David Blixt - David Corlew
Kyle Anthony Cortés - Christian Helem - Risha Hill - Tessa Hoffman
Willow James - Taylor Mallory - Kathy Scambiatterra - Nicole Scatchell
Rachel Slavick - Jason Sperling - Pricilla Torres - Shawn Wallace
Lauren Wells-Mann - Dereque Whiturs - Terri Woodall - Josh Zambrano
VISUAL ARTS CONSERVATORY
Department Head, Chris Lin Dao-Heng
Department Assistant, Patrick Lentz Instructors
Rebecca Baruc - Gwyneth Zelany Anderson - Katrina Barge - Rebecca Baruc
Sarabeth Dunton - Eliza Fernand - Patrick Lentz - Annie Leue
Chris Lin Dao-Heng - Claire Moore - David Nasca - Shonna Pryor
Shaquita Reed - Joan Roach - Caitlin Ryan
Anastasia Sitnikova - Frank Vega
CHIARTS SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Interim Chair, Duffie A. Adelson
Secretary, Warren Chapman Treasurer, Christine Gallagher
Carlos Azcoitia - Lesley-Ann Brown-Henderson - Inger Burnett-Zeigler
Janette Cortes-Duewel - Deirdra Donahue - Michelle Pierre-Farid*
Peter Fidler - Karen Fishman - Bill Gerstein - Angela Kiefer*
Kay Mabie - John McCambridge - Cynthia Plouché
*Parent Representatives and Ex-Officio Directors
CHIARTS FOUNDATION STAFF
President, José Ochoa Executive Coordinator, Greer Hutchison
Director of Development & Marketing, Johnny Merrifield Program Manager, Karina Quintana Alumni Platform Intern, Daniel Gayden
Marketing & Communications Manager, Natasha Mraz
Marketing Associate, Briana Shields
Database Administrator, Megan Sauve Grants Coordinator, Jo Marie Sison
CHIARTS FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chair, Mirja Spooner Haffner, Vice Chair, Gary Metzner Secretary, Erin Clifford Treasurer, Christina Huizar
Dana Berkowitz - Steven Collens - Elissa Hamid Efroymson - Arnett Faulkner
Lori Gray Faversham - Ronald B. Grais - Christine Gallagher*
Sandra Guthman - John Hart - Betsy Holden - Tom Hurvis
Pamela Johnson - Avril Klaff - Marshall Lindsey - Samera Ludwig
David Mabie - Michael McIntosh - Sylvia Neil - Jonathan Plotkin
Cynthia Plouché* - Amisha Rigia - John Yonover - Neal Zucker
*Ex-Officio Directors
SPECIAL THANK YOU
Thank you to the 2023 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 2022-23 ChiArts Photographer, Oscar Muñoz, Academic Facutly.
STAY CONNECTED WITH CHIARTS SHARE YOUR GRAD MOMENTS #ChiArtsGrad2023 @ChiArtsHS https://chiarts.org 2714 W Augusta Blvd. Chicago, IL 60622
