Under the theme of “Embracing Play: Rekindling Imagination,” Trinity College School celebrated leadership, commitment and achievement in the Senior School co-curricular arts on Wednesday, May 29th in the Dick & Jane LeVan Theatre. At TCS, we encourage students to take artistic risks and step outside their comfort zones in exploring the arts. Whether through drama, visual arts, music, dance or debates, or a combination of these pursuits, involvement in the arts inspires students’ creativity and problem-solving skills, helps them explore their emotions and build empathy, challenges them to work collaboratively and to develops skills in communication. As students embrace artistic expression and develop a lifelong passion for the arts, they are also learning important skills that will carry across disciplines and through each stage of life after high school.
At Wednesday’s ceremony, 93 students were presented with awards of Commendation or Excellence in recognition of their dedication to the arts, in some cases across multiple areas of arts involvement.
Earning Distinction, the highest recognition for artistic commitment and achievement, were six students: Kenna B., Sarah E., Beau L., Eric J., Oliver G. and Hannah V.
Three standalone awards were also presented as part of the ceremony. The Stevenson Award for Acting went to Kenna B., who had leading roles in both the fall play (Brighton Beach Memoirs) and spring musical (Shrek). The John Bassett Award was shared by Beau L. and Eric J., both members of multiple music ensembles, including Jazz@4, Chapel Choir, Johnson Ringers, Trinity Winds (Beau), Trinity Strings (Eric) and the pit band for the musical. The Warner Dance Trophy went to two members of the School’s competitive Dance Team: Jada Johnson (dance captain) and Ayla Wilson.
Special thanks was given to the Arts Council, chaired by Kenna B., for its work throughout the year in promoting the arts at TCS. It has been a busy and enriching year, from auditions in September through weekly arts group rehearsals and meetings, and culminating in recent weeks with the very successful Arts Week and the production of Shrek the Musical. Thank you to all of the students and staff who have embraced the arts and had a hand in creating a school culture where artistic expression is valued and celebrated.
