5/31/26 Fine Arts Department News

On May 1st, Highland Park High School students, teachers, and families gathered in the cafeteria to celebrate 16 seniors at the annual Fine Arts Signing Day! This event celebrates seniors who are continuing their study of the fine arts by majoring in the arts at university. Many of these students went through multiple rounds of auditions and portfolio reviews to gain admission and several were awarded scholarships! They will graduate from prestigious art programs with degrees in their specific discipline. Please congratulate our Seniors:

Ava Danuser – Studio Art – University of Missouri

Preston Houghton - Studio Art – School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Ruthie Grissen – Architecture – University of Virginia

Marleigh Johnston – Architecture – Illinois Tech

Rohan Portteus – Architecture – Parsons

Olivia Bond – Dance Performance and Business – Southern Methodist University

Nathan Cooke – Music Education – University of North Texas

Ian Hyde – Clarinet Performance and Music Business – Berklee

Camden Coale – Debate/Political Science – University of Kentucky

Miriam Fender – Fashion Design – Savannah College of Art and Design

Madi Furgeson – Songwriting – Belmont University

Jaron Pierce – Vocal Performance – Indiana University

Lilli Rodriguez – Film and Media Production – Loyola University Chicago

Gracie King – Theatre – The University of Alabama

Esra Melech – Musical Theatre – Boston Conservatory at Berklee

Manahil Qureshi – Drama – New York University

The senior class of 2026 was presented with numerous awards and scholarships at the annual Honors Day celebration on May 21st. Some of the Fine Arts scholarships awarded to individuals included:

Callie Curnes Scholarship - Ava Danuser

Singing Scot Scholarship - Caroline Davidson and Anna Melihercik

Dixie and Bob Jordan Memorial Scholarship - Nathan Cooke

Linda Raya Fine Arts Memorial Scholarship - Ian Hyde

Outstanding Choral Scholarship - Jaron Pierce

Willie Tichenor Arts Scholarship - Isabel Arnold

Debate Award - Saria Trivedi

Drama Award - Manahil Qureshi

Stanton Gage Art Award - Marleigh Johnston and Bess Prather

The Highlander Band closed the school year with several meaningful celebrations of student growth, achievement, and community, including our Spring Concert, the inaugural Digitarium Performance Series, and our annual Band Banquet.

Our Spring Concert served as a capstone performance for our concert ensembles and gave families the opportunity to hear the tremendous musical progress our students have made throughout the spring semester. From the first downbeat of the evening to the final moments on stage, our students performed with pride. The concert was a wonderful reminder of how much growth happens over the course of a year when students commit themselves to the daily work of becoming better musicians and stronger teammates.

One of the most meaningful moments of the evening came during the final performance of the concert. Our seniors were placed front and center with the Highlander Band as they performed “For Good” from Wicked as their final piece with the program. The significance of that moment was felt throughout the auditorium. The song’s message, that we are changed by the people who walk alongside us, beautifully reflected what these seniors have meant to our band family. Their leadership, friendships, example, and investment have changed this program for good, and their legacy will continue through the students who follow them.

This spring also marked an exciting new milestone for the Highlander Band with the launch of our Digitarium Performance Series, featuring our Highlander Laureates from the Young Artist Competition. These outstanding student musicians performed solo works in a unique, immersive setting that combined live musical performance with custom visual artwork projected inside the Digitarium. The series created a truly memorable experience for performers and audience members alike, elevating student artistry beyond the traditional concert setting and giving our students a platform that felt professional, personal, and deeply meaningful.

We also took time this season to celebrate our seniors, whose leadership, dedication, and investment have helped shape the identity of the Highlander Band. These students have given countless hours to rehearsals, performances, sectionals, contests, leadership moments, and traditions that will continue long after they graduate. At our Band Banquet, we honored their accomplishments and recognized the legacy they leave behind. Their impact will be felt not only in the performances they helped create, but in the standard they helped set for the students who will follow them.

Our Band Banquet brought our full community together to celebrate the people, memories, and accomplishments that shaped this year in the Highlander Band. The evening included recognition of student achievement, senior accomplishments, leadership, booster support, and the many individuals who help make our program possible. It was a fitting close to a year filled with growth, excellence, and shared purpose.

As we close this chapter, we are deeply grateful for the students, families, staff, private lesson teachers, volunteers, and community members who continue to support the Highlander Band. This year was filled with meaningful performances, challenges, and moments of excellence. More importantly, it was filled with students learning how to show up for one another, pursue a high standard, and take pride in being part of something bigger than themselves.

The end of the year is always a moment of reflection, but it is also a beginning. We celebrate the work of this year while looking ahead with excitement to the next generation of Highlander Band students. From those before, to those who follow, the tradition continues

Congratulations to HPHS Theatre’s Pippin for winning BEST ENSEMBLE at the Schmidt & Jones High School Musical Awards! Thank you to the entire Pippin Cast & Crew, Ms. Murphy, Mr. Burnam, Ms. Armoni, Mrs. Walker and parent volunteers for your commitment to excellence in our HP Theatre program. Bravo to our “extraordinary” ensemble!

AP 2d Art and Design and AP Drawing students finished the year with a creative challenge: “Same Size as Me”. Their self-portraits had no restrictions, other than it must represent their height in some way.

Photographers learned the chemistry and craft of glass plate printing with collodio-chloride.

On May 1st, the Beginning Band members performed at SUNfest Music Festival! The ensemble received Superior ratings, then enjoyed some time at Andretti's!

The MIS/HPMS Choir Program enjoyed celebrating their successful year with a culminating performance at their Spring Concert on May 6, "A Million Dreams", followed by an awards ceremony on stage. We are so proud of our singing Raiders, soon to be Scots!

The Raider Orchestra presented a Spring Concert on May 13th at HPMS. Ensembles performed, awards for the year were presented, and students were treated to a reception hosted by the Orchestra Booster Club! Orchestra student, Whit McCoy, composed an original piece that was premiered by the students at the end of the concert.

On May 16, Raider Drama celebrated the end of our 2025-2026 season with our "Wonderful World of Disney" Theatre Banquet. Among the highlights:

-40 new inducted Jr. Thespians in Troupe 12123

-More than 30 students earning the distinction of Jr. Honor Thespian, Bronze and Silver Jr. Thespians

-Jr. Thespian of the Year: Violet Rockow

-8th Grade Jr. Thespian of the Year: Andrew Blanchard

After 31 years, Raider Drama is retiring, and beginning its new adventure as HPMS Highlander Drama!

Armstrong Kindergarteners, under the direction of Dianne Morgan, recently presented the traditional "Magical Me" program to the school and their parents. Each child dressed up as what they wanted to be when they grew up. The program ended with the audience joining in a rousing rendition of the title song.

Armstrong Third Graders wrapped up the year with a Parent Show Off featuring square dances the children learned in music class during the Spring semester. The children learned calls for swing, do-si-do, right- and left-hand star, allemande, and promenade.

Armstrong Fourth Graders ended the year flying high like an eagle as they presented their Recognition Program to the school and their parents. Directed by Dianne Morgan, the students played their recorders, culminating their year-long study. They chose songs to sing to dedicate to their parents and teachers, and to celebrate the friendships they have made through their Armstrong journey. They also delivered handwritten Eagle notes to the teachers and staff.

The Boone first graders took us on an ocean themed adventure in their "Under the Sea" program!

Ms Talkington and Ms Powell’s Art 1 classes at Highland Park High School teamed up with Ms. Torres’s kindergarten classes at UP for a special event! The kinders designed shape monsters and high schoolers sewed them into stuffies! High schoolers dropped them off and spent time with their kinder art pals.

Musicians at University Park Elementary had wonderful opportunities in May! 4th graders wrapped up the school year with a fun ukulele unit. Kindergarten students delighted families with an adorable musical performance for “Muffins with Mom.” 1st grade musicians practiced rhythm dictation which helps build listening skills. And a group of 2nd grade students stayed after school to explore the history of Broadway. Students even held a piece of the Hamilton stage and read a special note from the stage designer David Korins, shared through Ms. Jordan’s family connection.