Empowering Students Through ARt Education

By Samantha DePriest

The Arts program at Trinity Christian School has been in growth mode over the last several years and the recent recognition of students in both Performing and Visual Arts is evidence of the creative talent and drive within our student body. Mr. Tim Hurt, TCS Performing Arts Director, shared, “We are encouraged that this school year about 19% of Middle School students are currently involved in the Arts out of 371 students and about 25% of High School students are involved in the Arts out of 519 students.” This is a direct result of the focus and funds that have been put into the Arts program through the hiring of incredible leaders as well as Annual Fund contributions to purchase necessary equipment to support the program. Trinity Christian School focuses on developing creative and confident Christian leaders with opportunities to grow in the arts, academics, and athletics.

This week our students have been recognized in three local events. The Kiwanis of Coweta Art Show, The District Fine Arts Festival, and The Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards (GHSMTA) Shuler Awards all happen each March and students from TCS received honors in all three. To God be the glory!

KIWANIS OF COWETA ART SHOW

This past weekend seventeen of our TCS Advanced Arts students were honored by being selected to have their artwork displayed in the Kiwanis of Coweta Art Show. The mission of Kiwanis is to “empower communities to improve the world by making lasting differences in the lives of children.” Kiwanis’ vision is “to be a positive influence in communities worldwide — so that one day, all children will wake up in communities that believe in them, nurture them and provide the support they need to thrive.”

1st place - Jack McCloud (7th grade)

3rd place - Anderson Shuler (7th grade)

3rd place - Maddie Jane Poling (10th grade)

Honorable Mention - Kyra Hill (11th grade)

Ms. Boone, our Lower/Upper/Middle School art teacher shares, “I am so proud of my Advanced Art students. Last weekend they were able to show their talent and they put the time and effort into their individual art work. These students all represented our school so well. The advanced students each chose their own medium and chose their own style of art. I love seeing how each student has their own style and I am so proud of how they are using their talents to glorify God. J ack McCloud placed 1st place in his grade level and will go onto to Macon to compete in the state art show and Anderson Shuler placed 3rd place.” 

Mrs. Cook, our High School Art teacher shares, “I am so proud of these 10 students who were able to submit their work to the Kiwanis Art Show this past weekend. TCS is so full of talent and I’m so impressed with each artist and all that they’ve created this year. Kyra Hill won Honorable Mention for 11th grade and MJ Poling won 2nd Overall for 10th grade. All of these students are such talented artists and it is an honor to be in the classroom with each of them this year!”

DISTRICT FINE ARTS

Trinity Fine Arts is a growing group of students who share the gifts and talents that God has given them through various expressions. Some students start practicing in the Fall while others start in January, depending on the coaches and level of difficulty. There are twelve volunteer coaches who help students fine tune their performances and submissions made up of Trinity parents, Trinity Church volunteers, and even grandparents. On average students spend between 45 minutes to an hour per week practicing on Sunday afternoons at Trinity from January to March in preparation for the festival. Performances range from vocal, instrumental, and dance to short sermons and photography.

Students can choose if they would like to join a group or enter as an individual and how many groups to be a part of. Over 24 churches participate and this year over 275 students from all over Georgia participated. Once selected during the District Fine Arts Festival, students are invited to attend the National Youth Convention where they are joined by 10,000 to 12,000 students from all over the country. To learn more about Fine Arts: https://youth.ag.org//finearts

TCS Performing Arts Director Tim Hurt shared, “This past weekend we hosted right here on our Trinity campus the Georgia District Fine Arts Festival.  We had 274 students from 24 different churches participate.  From Trinity itself we had 60 students participate and they were involved in 72 different entries.  The weekend was a huge success!  Congratulations to all on a job well done, and on the ministry and heart with which you presented.  We are proud of you all!!”

In the month of April, the Trinity Fine Arts students will be taking their show on the road and traveling around the state of Georgia sharing the Gospel through the Arts. Stay tuned to “Inside the Pride” for details on where they are performing as well as how to get involved. An informational meeting will be held this Fall at TCS and students may reach out directly to Trinity Church Fine Arts Director Stacie.Moore@tcslions.org about getting involved.

FINE ARTS RESULTS 2024

72 entries presented from Trinity

Of those 72, 63 received invites to the National Festival in August

Of those 59, 33 were in the top 3 (first, second and third place)

Of those 33, 20 were merit (first place)

Merit Groups

• Choir (Tania Anand, Emma-Grace Andrews, Greg Brezina, Hannah Catlett, Lila Chitwood, Riley Cook, Addison Davis, Aria Davison, Brandon Edson, Samuel Fader, Sophia Fader, Madison Miller, Ethan Heilman, Sophia Hurt, Gracie Little, Jenna McConnell, Keira Moore, Faith Mullins, Owen Osborne, Ayana Palmer, Tori Pullin, Mia Rodriguez, Aria Schatzberg, Sophia Selleck, Hank Woody, Wyatt Woody, Emberlynn Wozniak, Evan Wozniak, Lily Wozniak, Sophie Young, and Pierce Ziobro

• Shout Large Worship Team - Austin Cannon, Josh Savoy, Keira Moore, Sophia Hurt, Hank Woody, Riley Cook, Madison Faith, Greg Brezina, and Isaiah Ware

• Fire & Rimstones - Percussion Traditional

• Scripture Therapy Large Drama (Mia Rodriguez, Tania Anand, Pierce Ziobro, Emberlynn Wozniak, Lily Wozniak, Faith Mullins, Keira Moore, and Joshua Schatzberg

• Lily & Keira - Small Musical Theater Ensemble - Lily Wozniak and Keira Moore

• TC Trio - Keira Moore, Tania Anand, and Riley Cook

• TC Puppets - Sam Fader, Sophia Fader, Tristian Schatzberg, Joshua Schatzberg, Cameron Fader, Gracie Little, Sophie Young, and Aria Schatzberg

• Twin Tales - Children’s Literature - Rebecca Savoy and Kristen Savoy

Merit Solo

• Ava Anthony - Photography Digital SR

• Sam Fader - Photography Mobile SR

• Aria Davison - Poetry JR

• Rebecca Savoy - Book Chapter SR

• Lila Chitwood - Musical Theater Solo JR

• Tania Anand - Dramatized Quoting and String Solo

• Keira Moore - Worship Team Leading Solo; Female Vocal SR; Vocal Solo Classical SR; Songwriting; Short Sermon SR

Top 3 Groups and Solo

• One Voice Large Vocal Ensemble - Tori Pullin, Keira Moore, Lily Wozniak, Emberlynn Wozniak, Madison Miller, Tania Anand, Aria Davison, and Lila Chitwood

• Made New - Worship Dance Small - Emberlynn Wozniak, Sophia Fader, and Madelyn Wells

• Sophia & Keira - Worship Team Small - Sophia Selleck and Keira Moore

• Faith & Pierce - Drama Ensemble Small - Faith Mulins and Pierce Ziobro

• Sophia Hurt - Piano Classical SR

• Rebecca Savoy - Flash Fiction & Poetry SR

• Emberlynn Wozniak - Mobile Photography SR

• Samuel Fader - Digital Photography SR

• Aria Davison - Musical Theater Solo JR

Superior With Invitation Groups and Solo

• Rebecca (Grace) Salvanera - Poetry SR

• Keelin O’Pry - Woodwind Solo and Poetry SR

• Vincent Mullins - Piano Classical SR

• Brandon Edson - Photography Mobile JR

• Lily Wozniak - Photography Mobile SR; Musical Theater Solo SR

• Emma-Grace Andrews - Poetry SR; Musical Theater Solo SR

• Madison Miler - Musical Theater Solo JR

• Elly & Jenna - Vocal Ensemble Small - Elly Dallas & Jenna McConnell

• Elly Dallas - Female Vocal Solo SR; Short Sermon SR; Songwriting

• Tania Anand - Short Sermon SR; Visual Art 2-D; Spoken Word

• Emberlynn Wozniak - Musical Theater Solo SR; Short Sermon SR

• Sophie Young - Musical Theater Solo SR; Short Sermon SR

• Madelyn Wells - American Sign Language Solo

• Sophia Fader - American Sign Language Solo

• Isaiah Ware - Musical Theater Solo SR

• Lila Chitwood- Female Vocal Solo, JR

• Aria Davison- Female Vocal Solo, JR

• Madison Miller- Female Vocal Solo, JR

• Ayana Palmer- Female Vocal Solo, JR

• The King’s Chamber - Instrumental Traditional - Anna Manwaring, Grace Salvanera, Rosi Bowling, Morgan Tishaw, Sophia Hurt, Savannah Jackson, Allesanda Trejos, Sophie Young, Autumn Mankus, Keelin O’Pry

• 20 Strings - Instrumental Traditional - Jane Jung, Keiran Godfrey, Kori Leake, Elle Jerger.

SHULER NOMINATIONS

This past week the Georgia High School Musical Theatre Award (GHSMTA) Nominees and Honorable Mentions were announced. Mrs. Perez, TCS High School Drama Director, shares, “It is the literal high school version of the Tony Awards.” Out of 75 public and private high schools, TCS received nominations in three categories. The program “celebrates excellence in high school musical theatre. The awards are named in honor of actor/singer and Georgia native, Shuler Hensley, winner of the prestigious Tony Award, Outer Critics Circle Award and Drama Desk Award.” The ArtsBridge Foundation provides arts education opportunities and is responsible to hosting the Shuler Awards as well as many other events through the school year made possible by funding from partnerships with the Fox Theatre Atlanta and Broadway Across America along with generosity of many sponsors.

The growing Arts community at TCS is thrilled about the recognition of the Performing Arts program at TCS as it grows, attracts more students and staff, develops more talent, and showcases the gifts God has blessed our school with. The three nominees from TCS are:

Stacie Moore, Music Direction Honorable Mention

Keira Moore, Leading Actress Honorable Mention

Isabella Johnson, Featured Performer Nominee

Stay tuned on ArtsBridge website and TCS weekly newsletter “Inside the Pride” for more details about the GHSMTA Shuler Hensley Awards on Thursday, April 18th at 8pm on GPB. It sure is a great time to be a Lion!