In partnership with Forsyth County high schools and Windsor Jewelers, The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County is proud to present the Student Artist of the Month.
All Forsyth County high schools (private, public, and charter) that have arts programming were invited to participate in the Student Artist of the Month program. Arts educators and administrators from each school will select one student each month for recognition based on academic rigor and artistic merit. A variety of arts disciplines will be recognized over the course of the school year.
Alexandra Schram
Atkins Academic & Technology High School
Principal: Joe Childers
Nominating Teacher: Caroline Smith
Arts Discipline: Dance
Grade: 9
What is your favorite part of the arts genre in which you were selected? I enjoy dancing because it allows me to escape from stress, anxiety, judgment, etc. and express myself by focusing all of my energy in the movements.
Where would you most like to attend college and what might be your major? I would like to attend college at either UNCSA, UNC Greensboro, or Elon University. My major might be dance, exercise science, or physical therapy.
What is your proudest artistic accomplishment? I auditioned and was accepted to attend UNC School of the Arts for a five-week summer ballet intensive. I am training to compete at Youth America Grand Prix, the largest student ballet competition.
How will the arts influence your future career? I plan to be very involved in the arts in the future, whether that’s dancing for a company, taking more dance classes, or attending shows. Dancing is my passion and I want to carry out my dreams in the field.
Anthony Cancro
Bishop McGuinness High School
Principal: Tracy Shaw
Nominating Teacher: Alan Hirsh
Arts Discipline: Music
Grade: 12
GPA/QPA: 4.31
What is your favorite part of the arts genre in which you were selected? My favorite part of the arts genre in which I was selected is playing, practicing, and performing the piano.
Where would you most like to attend college and what might be your major? I am currently deciding which college I will attend, but I know that I will major in Music Education.
What is your proudest artistic accomplishment? My proudest artistic accomplishment is a piece I performed last year at a benefit concert for the music department at my school. It was the hardest piece I had ever attempted, and I did not by any means play it perfectly, but I was very proud of myself for being able to perform it.
How will the arts influence your future career? I plan to be a music teacher, so obviously the arts will have a huge impact on my every day life in this career. I plan to spread my love for music to as many people I can, so the arts will influence this career by being a part of me that I can share with others.
Kailey House
Calvary Day School
Principal: Rick Bohner
SAM Coordinator: Vera Boston
Nominating Teacher: Stephanie Weiser
Arts Discipline: Studio Art
Grade: 12
GPA/QPA: 4.92
What is your favorite part of the arts genre in which you were selected? I enjoy getting to create all different kinds of paintings and drawings in the style I choose. Painting is my favorite, but being in Studio Art allows me do a lot of different projects in a range of media.
Where would you most like to attend college and what might be your major? My goal is to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I want to study business.
What is your proudest artistic accomplishment? My proudest artistic accomplishment would be winning a Silver Key in Regional Scholastic Art and Writing Competition.
How will the arts influence your future career? Art will influence my future career by allowing me see all different aspects of the business world. It will let me see that there are many sides and approaches to a problem or topic. Also, it will help me be able to think outside the box when looking for a solution.
Brylie Branham
East Forsyth High School
Principal: Rodney Bass
SAM Coordinator: Roman Brady
Nominating Teacher: Tiffany C. Burgess
Arts Discipline: Theatre Arts
Grade: 11
GPA/QPA: 3.9
What is your favorite part of the arts genre in which you were selected? Though backstage is so much fun, there is no better feeling than taking a bow after a wonderful show. Call me selfish but the applause that comes after a smooth show as you run out to take your bow is a feeling like no other.
Where would you most like to attend college and what might be your major? I have a couple of top schools like UVA, Tennessee, or UNC-Chapel Hill. I want to major in political science and US History then get a law degree in constitutional law.
What is your proudest artistic accomplishment? Being inducted into the International Thespian Society was by far my proudest accomplishment, not only in theater but in life. It took not only hard work but commitment to the arts and my theatre department to reach this goal that I have to set for myself. As soon as I heard about ITS in my first drama club meeting my freshman year I knew it was something that I wanted to be a part of.
How will the arts influence your future career? Being in the Arts has brought me closer to people who will push me to success and and long inspire me but most importantly it has helped me find my voice and has encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone. As an aspiring politician, there are necessary things that I will forever thank theatre for.
Mia Connors
Glenn High School
Principal: Brad Craddock
SAM Coordinator: Jonathan Miller
Nominating Teacher: Jonathan Miller
Arts Discipline: Band
Grade: 12
GPA/QPA: 3.5
What is your favorite part of the arts genre in which you were selected? My favorite part of band is how much of a family all of us are, and how we all just know how to talk to each other and “get along”.
Where would you most like to attend college and what might be your major? I’d love to attend UNCG and get some kind of liberal arts degree.
What is your proudest artistic accomplishment? One time I wrote a paper that the teacher liked so much I got a 125% on it. And I’ve been first chair clarinet since middle school.
How will the arts influence your future career? I’m going to continue to learn different instruments and probably write a super great novel at some point.
Bella Strause
Kennedy High School
Principal: Keisha Gabriel
SAM Coordinator: Kaitlin Bryant
Nominating Teacher: Kaitlyn Bryant
Arts Discipline: Visual Arts
Grade: 11
GPA/QPA: 3.875
What is your favorite part of the arts genre in which you were selected? I enjoy how I’m able to create. It doesn’t matter if it’s a drawing, painting, or 3D mediums, so long as I can attempt to take what I see in my head and make it real.
Where would you most like to attend college and what might be your major? My top college choice is UNC Asheville with a major in math.
What is your proudest artistic accomplishment? In visual arts my proudest work would be a notecard drawing I made with markers. I can’t really describe it.
How will the arts influence your future career? he arts will help me see the world a little differently, I may plan to be a doctor but I want to live in a small town with a lot of local businesses and shops you can’t find in a big city. I want to live somewhere unique and I want it to have artists, I love art that’s free and wild.
Amie Villalobos
North Forsyth High School
Principal: Melita Wise
SAM Coordinator: Carolina Corona
Nominating Teacher: Christina Parrish
Arts Discipline: Visual Arts
Grade: 9
What is your favorite part of the arts genre in which you were selected? My favorite part of this genre is being able to express my creativity in a fun and calming way.
Where would you most like to attend college and what might be your major? I would like to attend UNCG and major in Interior Design.
What is your proudest artistic accomplishment? My proudest artistic accomplishment is winning first place at the Dixie Classic Fair exhibition.
How will the arts influence your future career? The arts will heavily influence my future career. Interior Design follows most, or all of the principles in Visual Arts.
Hassan Niang
Parkland High School
Principal: Spencer Hardy
SAM Coordinator: Tara Hauser
Nominating Teacher: Stacey Pelsinger
Arts Discipline: Theatre
Grade: 12
GPA/QPA: 3.62
What is your favorite part of the arts genre in which you were selected? I love to act and become different people on stage. I also love the creative freedom that we have in expressing different ideas to the audience. Tech theatre.
Where would you most like to attend college and what might be your major? I would really like to attend Morehouse College in Atlanta. I would like to study biology and also major in theatre if my schedule and workload allows it. If not I would minor in theatre.
What is your proudest artistic accomplishment? My proudest artistic accomplishment was getting awards at the end of the year (2016-2017) for my work that I had shown throughout that year.
How will the arts influence your future career? With me wanting to study biology and theatre I would like to find ways to improve your performance. On Broadway you have 7 or 8 shows a week so finding a way to keep your stamina up to the fullest.
Matthew Mottesheard
Reagan High School
Principal: Brad Royal
SAM Coordinator: Jennifer Willard
Nominating Teacher: Kenny Tysor
Arts Discipline: Music
Grade: 12
GPA/QPA: 4.882
What is your favorite part of the arts genre in which you were selected? My favorite part of playing the trombone is performing with a multitude of musical groups. I have performed with many school, community, county, district, region, state, and national marching bands, wind ensembles, jazz ensembles, and orchestras throughout my years in middle and high school.
Where would you most like to attend college and what might be your major? I would like to attend NC State University and pursue a degree in engineering. I look forward to exploring the various types of engineering.
What is your proudest artistic accomplishment? Being selected as 1 of 200 students for the Bands of America National Honors Marching Band is my proudest musical accomplishment. With this honor, I marched with students from across the nation in the 2017 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California.
How will the arts influence your future career? Although I do not plan to major or minor in music, it will always play an important role in my life. I will continue to seek opportunities to express my creativity through music.
Laia Tran
Reynolds High School
Principal: Leslie Alexander
SAM Coordinator: Karen Morris
Nominating Teacher: Ashley Hurst
Arts Discipline: Visual Arts
Grade: 12
GPA/QPA: 3.56/4.04
What is your favorite part of the arts genre in which you were selected? My favorite part of Visual Arts is being hands on with my work. It allows me to have a fell for the right materials.
Where would you most like to attend college and what might be your major? I would most like to attend Salem College and my majors would’ve in fine arts and in business/entrepreneurship.
What is your proudest artistic accomplishment? My proudest artistic accomplishment would be receiving a FIVE on my AP portfolio for 2017. In seventh grade I was the only person to receive a gold key at my school for my mixed media piece.
How will the arts influence your future career? The arts would influence me to be a Graphic Designer and/or a book illustration.
Julia Ellis
Salem Academy
Head of School: Mary Lorick Thompson
Nominating Teacher: Joy Rushton
Arts Discipline: Chorus
Grade: 12
GPA/QPA: 3.52/4.09
What is your favorite part of the arts genre in which you were selected? I really enjoy music as an art form. Singing in groups and as a solo vocalist is also very fun and lovely to me.
Where would you most like to attend college and what might be your major? I would most like to attend Berry College, and I either want to major in Biology or Anthropology and minor in Computer Science.
What is your proudest artistic accomplishment? When I got into Spirit, my school’s audition only singing group at the end of my sophomore year.
How will the arts influence your future career? Though I am not really thinking about pursuing the arts in my future career, I think it will help me view ideas from different perspectives, and always keep a song with me wherever I go.
Jace Weyant
UNCSA
Dean: Brian Cole
SAM Coordinator: Brock Snyder
Nominating Teacher: Brenda Daniels
Arts Discipline: Contemporary Dance
Grade: 12
GPA/QPA: 3.68
What is your favorite part of the arts genre in which you were selected? I love being able to create an atmosphere is a space and the ability to affect a mood in an audience.
Where would you most like to attend college and what might be your major? I would like to attend Bard for Dance and Mathematics.
What is your proudest artistic accomplishment? My proudest artistic accomplishment was being one of the first minors to be cast in a Footprints piece at the American Dance Festival.
How will the arts influence your future career? I would like to work as a freelance choreographer in New York.
Britney Culver
Walkertown High School
Principal: Misty Walker
SAM Coordinator: Quincy Lundy
Nominating Teacher: Hendricks
Arts Discipline: Chorus
Grade: 12
GPA/QPA: 3.7
What is your favorite part of the arts genre in which you were selected? My favorite part about chorus is meeting new people that eventually turn into great friends. I love helping out in chorus as much as I can; whether it is helping a friend with learning new terms or helping someone read music.
Where would you most like to attend college and what might be your major? I would like to attend Wingate university and I want to major in communication studies and mass media.
What is your proudest artistic accomplishment? My proudest artistic accomplishment would be getting small solos in our schools first musical/one act called “don’t count your chickens until they cry wolf”. We have wanted to do some sort of musical for a while now and when our theatre director told us we were going to do a small musical, I got so excited. With weeks of after school rehearsals it was worth it at the end. It wasn’t any major solo, but I still had a blast.
How will the arts influence your future career? The arts will influence my future career by helping me develop into a better person as I move on in life. So far the arts have helped me develop my personality and my character and I am forever grateful for the arts and the people who have helped me improve in the arts.
Marissa Varoutsos
West Forsyth High School
Principal: Charles McAninich
Nominating Teacher: Lisa Cook
Arts Discipline: Dance
Grade: 11
GPA/QPA: 3.8125
What is your favorite part of the arts genre in which you were selected? My favorite part of dancing is the ability to express myself with something other than words..
Where would you most like to attend college and what might be your major? I would like to attend NC State to possibly major in Biology to go into Physical Therapy.
What is your proudest artistic accomplishment? I am the most proud of myself when I win top score awards at my dance competitions.
How will the arts influence your future career? Dance has changed my life to make me more outgoing and open to new things and these foundations will help me through anything I choose to pursue.
Delana Payne
Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy
Principal: Reggie Hunt
SAM Coordinator: Shanice Bullock
Nominating Teachers: Shanice McKinney, Paul Evans, Yvette Matthews, Inkem Kaizen, Cameron Snyder
Arts Discipline: Chorus
Grade:12
GPA/QPA: 3.8
What is your favorite part of the arts genre in which you were selected? To perform and to sing in different languages, because its different and I like to explore different cultures.
Where would you most like to attend college and what might be your major? North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University also known as NC A&T. I plan to major in Biology.
What is your proudest artistic accomplishment? Being apart of the Ladies Ensemble for 5 years. We get to perform with more advanced singing groups in the area like the Burke Singers at Winston Salem State University. I have also been given the opportunity to perform more.
How will the arts influence your future career? As of right now, I don’t have a current or direct influence for chorus and biology. I have enjoyed singing during my high school career, however, sadly my choral journey will come to a close with my high school chapter.
The Arts Council would like to thank music teacher, Danny Green, who not only initiated the Student Artist of the Month program, but is serving as the volunteer liaison between the Arts Council and the schools for this project.
If you have questions or comments about this program, please contact us.
Danny Green, Student Artist of the Month Program Coordinator: sam.wsfchs@gmail.com