Congratulations to our two ACA scholarship recipients for Class of 2026
In the photo, left to right: Mary-Terese Tamondong, ACA's Board Member Barbara August, and Joseph Pausa.
🎓 Each year, the Addison Center for the Arts has been proudly awarding 2 scholarships to Addison Trail High School seniors for excellence in the arts or interest in pursuing a creative future. This year, we are excited to announce our 2026 recipients -- Mary-Terese Tamondong and Joseph Pausa! Both graduating Blazers are on the Distinct Honor Roll and have been actively participating in the ATHS performing arts programs.
Mary-Terese served as a Vice President and then as a President of Addison Trail Theatre Board, a Recording Secretary of Addison Trail Illinois Music Honors Society Board, and a Section Leader of Addison Trail Concert Choir. She will be attending Illinois State University and majoring in Music Performance with a minor in Theatre.
Joseph Pausa, whose achievements include Outstanding Musician, Outstanding Marching Band Member and many more, will continue his artistic journey in Illinois State University as a Music Education major with a minor in Performance, where he is going to use his creativity to plant more creativity in himself and others for the future.
We extend our congratulations to Mary-Terese and Joseph and wish them both success in their academic pursuits!
Mary-Terese served as a Vice President and then as a President of Addison Trail Theatre Board, a Recording Secretary of Addison Trail Illinois Music Honors Society Board, and a Section Leader of Addison Trail Concert Choir. She will be attending Illinois State University and majoring in Music Performance with a minor in Theatre.
Joseph Pausa, whose achievements include Outstanding Musician, Outstanding Marching Band Member and many more, will continue his artistic journey in Illinois State University as a Music Education major with a minor in Performance, where he is going to use his creativity to plant more creativity in himself and others for the future.
We extend our congratulations to Mary-Terese and Joseph and wish them both success in their academic pursuits!
Congratulations to our two ACA scholarship recipients for Class of 2025
🎉💰🎓 We are excited to announce our 2025 scholarships recipients -- Starr Hyland-Booth and Krishna Mistry!
A distinct honor roll student, Starr Hyland-Booth has always been passionate about art. As an artist, she wants to help and encourage others to witness the creativity in everything. "I plan to explore the creative energy in our society, helping to make all things possible. I hope to create work that thrives beyond gallery walls. I hope to help educate and empower the artistic community to make sure that everyone is seen and understood", she says. Starr's dedication and creativity helped her receive an Honorable Mention Art Award in the 2021/2022 Spring Art Show. Besides art, she is also actively involved in Addison Trail High School's extracurricular activities -- Girls Track & Field and Theatre productions. Starr is going to continue studying the Arts at DePaul University, majoring in Painting and Drawing.
Krishna Mistry is our second scholarship recipient. He is the winner of multiple honors and awards, including District 88's Best, Illinois State Scholar, State Seal of Biliteracy, ILMEA All-District Musician, Math Team MVP Award, AP Scholar with Distinction Award, Honors Quartet Violist, Honor Roll, and many others. In addition to that, Krishna enthusiastically participated in Addison Trail High School's extracurricular activities, such as Orchestra (as a Co-President and Librarian), Math Team, Track & Field, Soccer, International Dance, Science Olympiad, E-Sports, etc. and was a Physics, Calculus, & Writing Tutor.
Music has become an integral part of Krishna's identity and has given him a constant source of inspiration. He thinks that it is a universal language and art form that connects people across cultures and offers comfort and identity. Krishna says, "...music has given me a space to perform my heart out and convey emotions that words cannot express".
Krishna Mistry plans to pursue a career in Computer Science at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and believes that the attention to detail honed through years of playing the violin will enhance his ability to reach his ambitions.
Congratulations, Starr and Krishna!
Congratulations to our two ACA scholarship recipients for Class of 2024
Congratulations to our two ACA scholarship winners for Class of 2023!
Leilani Nevado, Bruce Peterson Memorial ScholarshipThe winner of the Bruce Peterson Memorial Scholarship is Leilani Nevado!
Leilani is going on to study at Loyola University where she will major in Biology and minor in Art! We look forward to seeing some awesome science illustrations from Ms. Nevado in the near future. Ms. Nevado earned our admiration with her art portfolio featuring outstanding still lives rendered in charcoal and mixed media. Her intimate still lives of her home gave us an insight into her roots, ambition, and dreams. Leilani achieved straight A's while carrying an impressive class load. She has a very bright future ahead of her! |
Lea Staller, Dick Gulbrandsen ScholarshipThe winner of the ACA's Dick Gulbrandsen Scholarship is Lea Staller. Lea will be going on to study at Cornell University where she will major in mechanical engineering and minoring in performing and media arts.
Lea has had a stellar career in AT theater productions starring in Chicago, the Addams Family, Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, Harvey, Trap, ANONymous, and Rock of Ages. She also starred in several productions of Science and Arts Academy. Lea has acted professionally for the TV program, Act of Faith. And, somehow, in addition to her acting pursuits, she is the ranked #1 for the Class of 2023. Wow! |
We are so happy to announce our 2022 scholarship recipients!
On May 19, 2022, the ACA will present $1500 scholarships to Fernando Padua and Sara Bojczuk at AT's Scholarship Awards Assembly.
Fernando Padua is a stellar AP and honors student. He wrote a moving essay about how music
and the arts can unite the community. He has been very active in the drama and music department at
AT. He also composes music!
Sara Bojczuk, in addition to being a straight A honors/AP student, received a glowing
recommendation from AT Art Department instructor Tim Hockensmith. In the letter, Mr.
Hockensmith highlighted her eagerness to volunteer in and out of school. He also described
her conscientious nature and how it would take her far.
The ACA is very proud of both of these students and wishes them the best in pursuing their college
careers.
On May 19, 2022, the ACA will present $1500 scholarships to Fernando Padua and Sara Bojczuk at AT's Scholarship Awards Assembly.
Fernando Padua is a stellar AP and honors student. He wrote a moving essay about how music
and the arts can unite the community. He has been very active in the drama and music department at
AT. He also composes music!
Sara Bojczuk, in addition to being a straight A honors/AP student, received a glowing
recommendation from AT Art Department instructor Tim Hockensmith. In the letter, Mr.
Hockensmith highlighted her eagerness to volunteer in and out of school. He also described
her conscientious nature and how it would take her far.
The ACA is very proud of both of these students and wishes them the best in pursuing their college
careers.
Huda Siddiqui Awarded ACA's 2021 Scholarship
Congratulations to straight-A Honors student Huda Siddiqui on winning this year’s ACA Scholarship. She truly is one of Addison Trail’s Best and we are proud to help fund her bright future. Her well-rounded list of high school and community achievements is too long to list here, but trust us--she’s done an impressive amount of work.
Ms. Siddiqui’s application essay is so superb, we are going to let her own words demonstrate why she merits the scholarship. We asked the applicants “How do the arts make a positive impact on the community and society?” To which Ms. Siddiqui responded:
“Art therapy has become an integral part of many rehabilitation centers and mental health facilities, crisis centers, private practices, schools, and various other social and community institutions that strive to promote health, wellness, and growth” (Good Therapy). For many people, creatively and freely expressing themselves through the visual arts is therapeutic. By drawing, painting, photography, coloring, sculpting, or making collages, individuals have been better able to cope with stress, enhance their self-awareness, improve their self-esteem, and explore their emotions and feelings. Personally, in many stressful situations, I have benefitted from destressing by painting and capturing calming pictures of my surroundings. As an individual that highly values mental well-being and emotional health, in college, I would love to combine my passions for psychology and art by creating spaces for students to improve their psychological health from engaging in artistic activity.
In the Youth Equity Stewardship program at Addison Trail, I engaged in artistic learning and realized that creative spaces can help address the pressing issue with the stigma surrounding mental health treatment. This year, I founded the Grateful Guidance initiative, where my mission has been to promote mental well-being via creative and artistic avenues such as painting and photography. After undergoing much mental distress from the unprecedented circumstances surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, this year, I enrolled in both 3-D Art Honors and Photography Honors where I solidified my passion for the visual arts. In the future, as a practicing Art therapist, I hope to provide all individuals with the means to engage with their creativity to better understand themselves and learn how to cope with stressful situations. This, I hope, will positively impact our community and society by enhancing emotional and mental well-being.
Ms. Siddiqui is considering attending Yale in Fall 2021. No matter what direction she takes in her career, we know that she will make Addison proud.
Ms. Siddiqui’s application essay is so superb, we are going to let her own words demonstrate why she merits the scholarship. We asked the applicants “How do the arts make a positive impact on the community and society?” To which Ms. Siddiqui responded:
“Art therapy has become an integral part of many rehabilitation centers and mental health facilities, crisis centers, private practices, schools, and various other social and community institutions that strive to promote health, wellness, and growth” (Good Therapy). For many people, creatively and freely expressing themselves through the visual arts is therapeutic. By drawing, painting, photography, coloring, sculpting, or making collages, individuals have been better able to cope with stress, enhance their self-awareness, improve their self-esteem, and explore their emotions and feelings. Personally, in many stressful situations, I have benefitted from destressing by painting and capturing calming pictures of my surroundings. As an individual that highly values mental well-being and emotional health, in college, I would love to combine my passions for psychology and art by creating spaces for students to improve their psychological health from engaging in artistic activity.
In the Youth Equity Stewardship program at Addison Trail, I engaged in artistic learning and realized that creative spaces can help address the pressing issue with the stigma surrounding mental health treatment. This year, I founded the Grateful Guidance initiative, where my mission has been to promote mental well-being via creative and artistic avenues such as painting and photography. After undergoing much mental distress from the unprecedented circumstances surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, this year, I enrolled in both 3-D Art Honors and Photography Honors where I solidified my passion for the visual arts. In the future, as a practicing Art therapist, I hope to provide all individuals with the means to engage with their creativity to better understand themselves and learn how to cope with stressful situations. This, I hope, will positively impact our community and society by enhancing emotional and mental well-being.
Ms. Siddiqui is considering attending Yale in Fall 2021. No matter what direction she takes in her career, we know that she will make Addison proud.
Teagan Whitaker is awarded the 2020 ACA Scholarship
The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the Addison Center for the Arts' 2020 Scholarship of $1500 has been awarded to Teagan J. Whitaker. Ms. Whitaker is a dedicated and accomplished performing arts scholar. She has performed in many Addison Trail High School theater productions, band, choir, and an acapella group. In addition, to her theatrical studies on stage and behind the scenes, Ms. Whitaker has excelled in all of her academic classes including many Honors and AP courses.
“This past winter, she earned the leading role in Rock of Ages: High School Edition, and working with her was such a delight. She was constantly prepared, and always pushed herself to be better while learning and supporting those around her. Her desire to better herself also prompted her to audition for community theatre outside of Addison Trail. I am amazed at her independence, and she is by far one of the most mature students I have had the pleasure of teaching.”
--Anna Louise McSweeney, English/Theater Teacher, Addison Trail High School
Teagan will continue developing her performing skills at Illinois State University in the autumn.
The Addison Center for the Arts is very proud to nurture promising local talent like Teagan J. Whitaker. We can all expect great things from her!
“This past winter, she earned the leading role in Rock of Ages: High School Edition, and working with her was such a delight. She was constantly prepared, and always pushed herself to be better while learning and supporting those around her. Her desire to better herself also prompted her to audition for community theatre outside of Addison Trail. I am amazed at her independence, and she is by far one of the most mature students I have had the pleasure of teaching.”
--Anna Louise McSweeney, English/Theater Teacher, Addison Trail High School
Teagan will continue developing her performing skills at Illinois State University in the autumn.
The Addison Center for the Arts is very proud to nurture promising local talent like Teagan J. Whitaker. We can all expect great things from her!
Kristopher Kusnierz Awarded 2019 ACA Scholarship
The Addison Center for the Arts is always proud to have the opportunity to award a $1500 scholarship to an Addison Trail graduate who is going on to study the arts in college.
In 2019, the ACA awarded the scholarship to Kristopher Kusnierz who is going on to study music education at Elmhurst College. Kristopher was an exemplary high school student and an Eagle Scout. With his leadership, he will inspire future generations of children to enjoy and create music.
The Addison Center for the Arts strives to continue to nurture students like Kristopher Kusnierz who aspire to a career in the arts. We encourage Addison Trail seniors to apply for the scholarship next Spring for the 2020 scholarship program award.
Photo: Elmhurst College student, Kristopher Kusnierz, receives a scholarship certificate from the Addison Center for the Arts' President, Mark Turk in August 2019.
Addison Center for the Arts Awards Ethan Macaraeg 2019 Scholarship
In early August of 2019, The Addison Center for the Arts presented Ethan Macaraeg with a $1,500 arts scholarship. Ethan is going to attend Illinois State University in the fall where he will study Theater.
Pictured in the photo from left to right are"
Mark Turk ACA President, Ethan Macaraeg and Julie Mars, ACA Director of Communications.
Congratulations to the 2016/2017 scholarship recipients
Alec Montgomery and Ryan Cabildo with
board member Susan Cargill.
We are proud to announce the scholarship winners for the 2016/2017 school year, each of whom will receive $1,000 to apply toward their continued education.
The scholarship for music is awarded to Ryan Cabildo. He is a saxophonist and has earned many honors in his field. He was selected several times for the Illinois Music Education All District Band and Jazz Ensemble. He was also selected to the All State Jazz Ensemble, and he has been an outstanding musician throughout his high school career. Along with music, Ryan is academically gifted and is near the top of his class.
The scholarship winner for art is Zachery Michaliska.
(not pictured) He plans to attend Ball University in Muncie, Indiana. His goal is to receive a Bachelor's Degree in architectural studies and then work toward a Master's in architecture. His high school activities included music and art, and he was a student athlete. Zachery attained academic honors.
The scholarship winner for theatre is Alec Montgomery. He has worked on many productions throughout his high school theatre career. Along with theatre, Alec has been a part of the school's student council, marching band and Tri-M. He has been described as dedicated, creative and artistic. He is an academically, creatively and theatrically inclined student who plans to attend the University of Iowa. His goal is become a playwright.
The scholarship for music is awarded to Ryan Cabildo. He is a saxophonist and has earned many honors in his field. He was selected several times for the Illinois Music Education All District Band and Jazz Ensemble. He was also selected to the All State Jazz Ensemble, and he has been an outstanding musician throughout his high school career. Along with music, Ryan is academically gifted and is near the top of his class.
The scholarship winner for art is Zachery Michaliska.
(not pictured) He plans to attend Ball University in Muncie, Indiana. His goal is to receive a Bachelor's Degree in architectural studies and then work toward a Master's in architecture. His high school activities included music and art, and he was a student athlete. Zachery attained academic honors.
The scholarship winner for theatre is Alec Montgomery. He has worked on many productions throughout his high school theatre career. Along with theatre, Alec has been a part of the school's student council, marching band and Tri-M. He has been described as dedicated, creative and artistic. He is an academically, creatively and theatrically inclined student who plans to attend the University of Iowa. His goal is become a playwright.
The Addison Center for the Arts awards lucky Addison Trail High School students scholarships to apply toward continued education in the arts. The application form includes general information such as submission details and eligibility requirements. The application is available for download here. The deadline to submit the 2018 application will be announced shortly.
Board members Mark Turk, Harry Theodore and Susan Cargill present a scholarship check to 2015/2016 winner Angelene Ori.
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