Indian Hill High School (IHHS) celebrated students who are planning for futures in the arts and military during the second-annual Arts and Military Signing Ceremony Friday, May 20. Eleven students preparing for studies within the arts took center stage at Indian Hill High School Auditorium with friends and family in the audience cheering them on.
The Class of 2022 students being celebrated included:
• Sarah Bridge, Communication Design, DAAP University of Cincinnati
• Sarah Grace Brown, Dance Minor, Cornell University
• Jessie Chan, Music Minor, Duke University
• Paige Falter, Video Game Design, Miami University
• Abigail Hamburger, Architecture, Kent State University
• Claire Hardek, Minor Vocal/Operatic Music, Duke University
• Gwen Josche, Technical Theatre, Winthrop University
• Dylan Kondor, Media Production, University of Cincinnati
• Samara Summers, Art Major, University of Iowa
• Harry Warfel, History of Art and Architecture, Harvard University
• Greta Zender, Music Education - Minor in Dance, The Ohio State University
“We are extremely proud of our students who have selected to pursue studies in the arts and to serve in our military,” said Indian Hill High School Principal Jeff Damadeo. “Our Arts and Military Signing Ceremony is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate all they have achieved.”
Sarah Bridge, Communication Design, DAAP University of Cincinnati
• Gold key in the Scholastics Art and Writing competition
• Academic Performance Award in Art
From Sarah Bridge:
“Taking various art classes at Indian Hill has made me enthusiastic about being creative, and I have learned a lot from Ms. Pfeiffer and Mr. Wolter. I have always known that I wanted to pursue a career in a creative field, and taking the graphic design class helped me find that.”
Sarah Grace Brown, Dance Minor, Cornell University
• Performed as Sugar Plum Fairy in the “Nutcracker” and Fleur De Lys in “La Esmeralda” with Le Jeune Dance
• Competed at the Youth American Grand Prix
From Sarah Grace Brown:
“Indian Hill has always inspired my love for the arts and encouraged my growth as both a student and an artist.”
Jessie Chan, Music Minor, Duke University
• NAfME All-National Concert Band: second chair (2021-2022)
• Music Teacher National Association Senior Division Woodwind State Winner (2020, 2021, and 2022)
• Ohio All State-Band Member, first chair (2021-2022) second chair (2019-2020)
From Jessie Chan:
“Exhilarating. I would like to also give a huge shout out to Mr. Barker and the music staff for all the support and encouragement they all have given me. Little things like coming to see All-State concerts, arranging pieces with special solos, and advocating musical excellence are efforts that I have greatly appreciated throughout these four years. I am extremely grateful to be a part of this wonderful community!”
Paige Falter, Video Game Design, Miami University
• Scholastics honorary mention
• Indian Hill Excellence Award for personal commitment to art
• OINK film fest award for short films
From Paige Falter:
“My favorite part of the day was always when I was in the art room. Since I ended up spending more time at school than at home, that room became my happy place where I could explore new creative ideas and where I created the stories that I realized I wanted to transform into video games. Without it, I never would have come as far as I have, and I’m forever grateful for that.”
Abigail Hamburger, Architecture, Kent State University
• 2016 Honorable Mention in Scholastic Art and Scholastic Writing Awards
• 2019 Academic Performance Award (Band)
• 2021 Personal Commitment Award (Band)
From Abigail Hamburger:
“Creativity is nothing but a mind set free.”
Claire Hardek, Minor Vocal/Operatic Music, Duke University
• Two-time Overture Awards Vocal Scholarship recipient
• Two-time Matinee Musicale Vocal Scholarship recipient
• National Choir Award Recipient
• Outstanding Vocal Music Student Award
From Claire Hardek:
“My time at Indian Hill has truly been what encouraged me to study music in college. After spending the last seven years involved in music at Indian Hill, my eyes have been opened to how much I absolutely love singing and performing. Thanks to things such as Pow Wow, Premieres, and Youth Choir at Indian Hill Church, I’ve been given countless opportunities to grow as a performer and individual, which is something I am forever thankful for.”
Gwen Josche, Technical Theatre, Winthrop University
• Rookie of the Year in Technical Theatre (2018-2019)
• All-Star Award in Technical Theatre (2020-2021)
• Light Box Award
From Gwen Josche:
“I have technical theatre as a whole to thank for who I am today. Without my mentors, Kim Zwolshen and Scott Kimmins, I would not be the person I have grown to be over the seven years of my participation in the program. I also have Harry Warfel to thank for being my initial rival and eventual friend. It’s been an honor to grow alongside him these past seven years.”
Dylan Kondor, Media Production, University of Cincinnati
• Producer of Braves Beat at Indian Hill Television Network
From Dylan Kondor:
“I could get lost in all the work I could do!”
Samara Summers, Art Major, University of Iowa
• Scholastic Silver Key Award
From Samara Summers:
“Always the best part of my days.”
Harry Warfel, History of Art and Architecture, Harvard University
• Scholastic Gold Key and other Scholastic accolades
• Braves Academic Performance in Visual Arts Award
From Harry Warfel:
“The Indian Hill visual and performing art departments facilitate students to take passions well beyond the classroom. From Mrs. Tuznik introducing my fifth-grade art class to zentangles, a style that would transform my love of art from a hobby to a job, to Mr. Clark preparing the vocals of his choir classes to be more than prepared to take on the challenges of ‘Les Mis’ and ‘Phantom of the Opera’ during our winter musical (Pow Wow). Indian Hill Arts have always been so welcoming to all, and I personally accredit my college plans towards Mrs. Pfieffer and her AP Art History Class. To all of my past art teachers, thank you!”
Greta Zender, Music Education (Minor in Dance), The Ohio State University
• Academic Excellence in Orchestra (2021)
• Indian Hill Theatre Best Backstage Critic Award (2021)
• Indian Hill High School Vocal Department Showmanship Award (2022)
From Greta Zender:
“At Indian Hill, the music department is like family - the more, the merrier!”
Photo caption: Indian Hill High School celebrated the second-annual Arts and Military Signing Ceremony May 20, 2022.