Trustees recognize visual and performing arts students

March was National Youth Art Month, and MISD joined the state of Texas and its school districts in celebrating the impact visual and performing arts programs make in the lives of students. Last month trustees adopted a Theatre in our School Proclamation recognizing the MISD Theatre Troupe thanks to a special request made by student Olivia Leath.

Student artwork featured across Texas

Two students whose visual artworks were featured at art exhibits across Texas were recognized at the March Board of Trustees meeting:

• Dieterich Middle School 8th-grader Adelynn Reynolds, who was among the Pre-K - 12th-grade artists from across the state featured during the Texas Association of School Administrators/Texas Association of School Boards Conference Art Show earlier this year
• 10th-grade Midlothian Heritage High School student Kaylee Compton's art is on display this month in the Youth Art Month Spring Exhibition at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, Texas

VASE state qualifiers recognized

Five MISD student artists were honored at the March Board of Trustees meeting for qualifying to attend the State VASE competition. VASE, which stands for Visual Arts Scholastic Event, recognizes exemplary student achievement in the Visual Arts by providing high school art students and programs a standard of excellence in which to achieve. Students create artworks, write about their creative processes and their understanding of visual art, and articulate information about their artwork during an interview with a VASE juror, who evaluates their work using a standards-based rubric.

Students are rated on a scale to determine if their work will advance to the State level. Approximately 10% of entries from each Region are selected to advance to the State contest. This year, more than 2,500 entries were submitted in MISD's Region. Heritage High School entered 53 pieces with 49 earning an area medal and two (2) pieces advanced to State. Midlothian High School entered 21 pieces with 20 earning an area medal and four (4) pieces advanced to State.

MISD's VASE State qualifiers are:

• Malia Blair - 9th Grade, HHS (two submissions advancing to state)
• Arianna Fox - 10th Grade, MHS
• Addison Ceritelli - 11th Grade, MHS
• Aubrey Nichols - 9th Grade, MHS
• Helen Rademaker - 9th Grade, MHS

Performing arts students recognized for national accolades

The Midlothian High School and Heritage High School Theatre programs attended the Texas Thespian State Festival and Competition during the Thanksgiving break. More than 8,000 students from across the state attended and competed at this event. Texas Thespians compete in a variety of categories as they vie for a coveted spot as a national qualifier. The individual performance events include: monologue, duet acting, group acting, solo musical, duet musical, group musical, and musical theater dance. Students may also advance in technical events such as sound design, stage management, and costume construction.

14 MISD students were named Thespian National Qualifiers and four of the students have also been awarded as Theatre Scholar Distinction Award recipients. Read more here.