Nick McWilliams reporting – The future of the arts from Tuscarawas County were recognized at the Kent State University Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center Tuesday evening.
The 2023 Tuscarawas Arts Partnership featured 21 students from seven local districts, joined by their families and educators in recognizing their accomplishments and future endeavors.
TAP Director Wilma Mullet says that the Tuesday event was their largest Signing Day to date, and it was encouraging to see it grow through the years.
“We know that the talent is out there. And that the students out there have that dream pursuit that they want to do. And we just wanted to get the word out there that we want to celebrate you. We want to recognize you tonight, and send you off on a good note to pursue your arts, culture, and creative endeavors, whether they’re furthering their education or diving right into their careers.”
In addition to recognizing almost two dozen students, Mullet adds that the event also shines a light on how many different career paths are available related to the arts.
“People don’t think about how much the arts are intertwined into our daily lives. I mean, you have music and psychology that’s put together to help people find a healing process through, maybe, some traumas that they have been through. You have people going to culinary arts. People don’t think about culinary arts either, which is pretty incredible. Fashion [too.]”
The featured speaker was Past President of the Tuscarawas County Arts Guild Vivian Mosley, who also opened the TUSCArts Gallery.
Taking home the Arts Educator of the Year Award was Indian Valley Teacher Melanie Glazer, who has taught for 23 years with the district in the arts at both the middle school and high school.
Mullet says that they are hopeful to expand even further into next year.
Students Recognized
Buckeye Career Center
- Dominic Colantonio – Graphic Design
- Jordan Eick – Animation Game Design
Claymont
- Naomi Hallman – Resort and Attraction Management
Dover
- Damaris Avery – Psychology, minoring in Film and Media Studies
- Brianna Best – Music Education
- Aslyn Fannin – Music Production and Recording, minoring in Film
- Belle Fockler – Musical Theatre, minoring in Dance
- Sidney Garrett – Music Education
- Josh Haverfield – Music Education and Performance
- Alyssa Renicker – Pastry Arts
- Abigail Zeedyk – Medical Laboratory Science, minoring in Music and Dance
Garaway
- Cameron Bush – Food Business Management
- Gracyn Stutzman – Graphic Design and Photography
Indian Valley
- Mariah Abel – Music Education
- Krista Bair – Computer Science, minoring in Music
- Zoe Florence – Psychology, minoring in Music, Art History, and Visual Culture
- Emily Lewis – Music Business and Industry
- Marlee Shepherd – Communicative Design
- Chloe Wells – Interior Design
New Philadelphia
- Nathaniel Demuth – Graphic Design
- Jacob Roman-Willey – Music Education
Tuscarawas Central Catholic
- Corrine Hamilton – 2D Animation
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