Sterling College closed another dynamic academic year in the arts by recognizing more than 20 students for excellence in art, music, theatre, and communication, with honors presented throughout year-end concerts, productions, and showcases. Rooted in the College’s mission “to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith,” the arts remain a vital expression of both creativity and calling, engaging more than 90 students this year in a vibrant, collaborative environment.
“The arts have a special place at Sterling College,” said Executive Director for the Arts Dennis Dutton. “It has been an incredibly busy but successful year.” Dutton noted six theatre productions reaching audiences of more than 3,000, four major concerts drawing over 1,200 attendees, and additional events that brought more than 1,200 high school students to campus.
Among those recognized in the visual arts, Bree Pickerell of McPherson received the Art Leadership Award.
In music, honors reflected both performance excellence and leadership. Trinity Porter of Gardner earned the Louie Armstrong Jazz Band Award. Brooklyn Richardson of Stafford received the Symphonic Band Servant Leadership Award and the Bob and Margaret Calderwood Endowed Scholarship. Michael Tweed of Pearland, Texas, was honored with the Frank William Montgomery Band Award, while Taggart Reiss of Hutchinson received the Leon Akin Choir Award. Copper Collins of Pretty Prairie earned the Mr. and Mrs. R.O. Ferguson Memorial Award.
Theatre students were recognized for their achievements on stage and in production. Kurt Keegan of Burlington was named Actor of the Year and Mariana Inchauriga of Hutchinson Actress of the Year, both receiving Evans Theatre Awards. Mary Little of Hutchinson and Noah Svaty of Sterling earned Achievement Awards in Theatre in recognition of their outstanding four-year contributions to theatre.
A unique honor introduced this year, the “Greatest/Least Award,” recognized the student making the greatest contribution in the least amount of time. The award was presented to Morgan Pellegrino of Las Vegas, Nevada, who first appeared on stage two years ago and has since performed seven leading roles.
Communication students were also recognized for academic and creative work. Sheridan Nguyen of Irving, Texas, received the Jim Mosher Memorial Scholarship in Communication, and Abi Sawin of Washington earned the Max & Icee Moxley Scholarship in Mass Communication. Cristian Vargiu of London, England, received the Clayton Campbell Memorial Award.
Additional scholarships supported continued study in the arts. Barbara Thompson Endowed Music Scholarships were awarded to Copper Collins, Hannah Ellis of Kingman, Taggart Reiss, Brooklyn Richardson, and Philip Starnes of Wellington. Allison Reed of Topeka received the Carol McCullough Brown Endowed Vocal Music Scholarship, and Copper Collins also earned the Rev. Alfred R. Bernadt, Jr. Memorial Scholarship. In theatre, Isabella Frey of Garden City received the Bill Thayer Memorial Scholarship.
The strength of the graduating class was especially evident in music and theatre, where senior leadership helped shape the year’s success. Many students balance artistic pursuits with other academic and extracurricular commitments. Tweed, for example, performed as lead saxophonist in both Concert Band and Jazz Band while also competing as a student-athlete and pursuing a pre-med track.
“Sterling has always encouraged students to get involved and try new things,” Dutton said. “Several students who were on stage this year or in our music groups had not participated in those areas before.”
With continued growth, strong student engagement, and expanding community outreach, the arts remain a cornerstone of the Sterling College experience.
