Indian Hill High School (IHHS) celebrated students who are planning for futures in the arts and military during the fourth-annual Arts and Military Signing Ceremony on Thursday, May 16. This event was the largest number to date, celebrating a total of 24 students who are preparing for studies within the arts and military. Eighteen students took center stage at the Sue Harder Memorial Performing Arts Center with friends and family to participate in the formal ceremony, surrounded by family and friends.
The Class of 2024 students being celebrated included: Shannon Aitken, Miranda Aldas, Franny Bell, Sydney Brown, Geno Cardosi, Zoe Castenson, Mia Comello, Sydni Cowherd, Carly Hater, Andrew Heinichen, Mia Jackson, Hayden Longbottom, Grace Mackey, Marisol Mason, Makenna Peterson, Sydney Sawyers, Heidi Schellhas, Emma Stacey, Gabe Tassi, Miles Taylor, Aidain Walton, Jerry Winfree, Kaylie Withers, and George Zaring.
“These students are not only incredible leaders, but also amazing individuals, and we are thrilled to see the next chapter in the story of their lives unfold,” said Indian Hill Arts and Activities Director Amy Clark. “It was our privilege to have them on the stage spotlight one final time.”
Shannon Meredith Aitken
Drama: Production and Design
New York University
“I developed a passion for costume design and was able to design multiple shows at Indian Hill.”
Miranda Isabella Ann Aldas
Architectural Engineering
University of Cincinnati
“The best part about a career such as mine is the ability to stretch one’s creativity beyond what they thought they were capable of doing. I hope to help as many people as I can in South America with building projects to support families in need and I want them to be as creative of designs as possible.”
Frances Cynthia Bell
Musical Theatre
Roosevelt University, Chicago College of Performing Arts
“The professional opportunities I earned during my time at Indian Hill gave me the confidence and experience necessary to pursue musical theatre performance as a career.”
Sydney Grace Brown
English, Creative Writing
Northern Kentucky University
Geno Michael Cardosi
Digital Innovation and Film Technologies
Xavier University
Zoe Abigail Castenson
Architecture
University of Cincinnati
“I have gotten to join so many diverse groups of people, and I am so grateful for the community this school has given me.”
Mia Francesca Comello
Paleontology with Minor in Ceramics
Ohio University
“Thanks to teachers like Mr. Wolter, and his passion for helping students, I found a creative outlet in ceramics that will continue to sustain me in college.”
Sydni Allison Cowherd
Fashion Design, Business Minor
University of Cincinnati, College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning
“I am incredibly grateful that I have had the opportunity to learn what I love to do through the art programs at Indian Hill because it has helped me discover who I am. I hope Indian Hill continues to fund the art programs so that students after me can discover what they love too.”
Caroline Irene Hater
Interior Design
University of Cincinnati, College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning
Andrew James Kirk Heinichen
University of Cincinnati, College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning
Mia Victoria Jackson
Theatre Arts
DePaul University
“I want to go into theatre because my teachers inspired me to. I am who I am today and I have so much passion for theatre because of the love, support, and encouragement I was given from Mrs. Thomas and Mr. Clark.”
James Hayden Longbottom
Biology (Pre-Med) and Vocal Performance
The Ohio State University
Grace Marie Mackey
Architecture
University of Cincinnati, College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning
“I took AP Art and Design last year and decided to try a 3D portfolio instead of a drawing one like I was used to. I created a portfolio based on recreating famous architecture. I fell in love with making/designing models and knew it was something I could see myself doing as career.”
Marisol Marie Mason
Chemical Engineering
West Point: The United States Military Academy
“I want to give back to my community as it has given me so many opportunities to succeed and thrive.”
Makenna Elizabeth Peterson
Music Education and Vocal Performance, Musical Theatre Minor
The Ohio State University
“I’ve always wanted to help people find their passions like I was able to experience. I am thankful for the opportunity to follow my passions and allow for others to find theirs through me in the future.”
Sydney Frances Sawyers
Film and Media Studies
Chapman University
Heidi Elizabeth Schellhas
Communication Design
University of Cincinnati, College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning
“Be true to yourself and good things will follow. Always make use of every opportunity you can.”
Emma Nicole Stacey
Vocal Performance and Songwriting
Berklee College of Music
“I decided to try songwriting after taking AP Music Theory and I really became passionate about it.”
Gabriel Tassi Borges Zenaide
Media Production
University of Cincinnati
"Watching our weekly episode made me proud of my team because we improved every time."
Miles Stewart Taylor
Mechanical Engineering
United States Coast Guard Academy
“I am attending the Coast Guard Academy to serve and protect coastal communities across America.”
Christopher Aidain Walton
Communications and American Politics
University of Montana
Jeremiah Michael Winfree
Real Estate and Business
United States Army National Guard, University of Cincinnati
Kaylie Grace Withers
Business Major and Vocal Performance Minor
The Ohio State University
“Being involved in the Indian Hill arts program has taught me many valuable lessons, giving me the confidence to pursue my dreams. Thank you to all of my family, friends, and teachers who have helped me along the way. Go Buckeyes!”
Allen George Zaring IV
Media Arts Production
University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music
“Indian Hill has offered me wonderful opportunities in media such as Braves Beat, IHTN, and sports media. I discovered a new passion in high school that I am now choosing to study today.”
Photo caption: Indian Hill High School (IHHS) celebrated students who are planning for futures in the arts and military during the fourth-annual Arts and Military Signing Ceremony on Thursday, May 16. This event was the largest number to date, celebrating a total of 24 students who are preparing for studies within the arts and military.