July 2019 ALUMNINEWS Governor’sat the School Contents

1 From the President

2 Brandon Michael Hall

4 Keep Your Eye on These Govies

4 Class Notes

4 Departmental and Campus News 6 Class of 2019 Your Art Area Fromthe Show your love for your 8 Destinations: Class of 2019 department by giving directly to their discretionary fund. Your Decision Day 2019 gift will support entry 10 fees, field trips, and other opportunities vital to the Dear Alumni, 14 Become a Class Agent Govie curriculum. As we bring the 2018-2019 academic yearPresident to a close, I encourage you to make a special effort to stay it gives me great pleasure to bring you greetings from connected with us for the next several months, as the 15 Furthering Education the Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities! It’s 2019-2020 academic year will mark the 20th year of the been one of the most outstanding years of activity on residential high school. A number of special events the campus with students and faculty performing and and performances are scheduled for the year-long On the Horizon Scholarships 15 presenting their work throughout the state and across celebration, including a Founder’s Day Convocation, the grand opening and ribbon cutting for the new Music Give future Govies the the globe. building, a Showcase Fundraiser on Hilton Head Island, 15 Get Your Govie T-Shirt opportunity to follow their art, pursue their We were pleased to graduate 109 Govies at the Peace and a student/alumni performance showcase at the dreams, and acheive Center in May and, with over $27 million in scholarships, Peace Center. 16 #GovieDay their goals by donating their awards and achievements are representative of to the Virginia Uldrick As always, I invite you to join us for a performance or Scholarship Fund. true scholars and artists of the highest caliber. The Class of 2019 included a US Presidential Scholar in the Arts, event on the campus. It’s always a pleasure to meet our seven gold and seven silver medalists in the Scholastic alumni and I look forward to continued interaction with Back Cover National Art & Writing Competition, three 2019 Youn- those of you who visit often. As always, I thank you for How You Can Help gArts Finalists, forty-two inductees into the National your support of the Governor’s School, and I hope to Honor Society, and seven National Merit Finalists. see you soon! Thank you for your continued support of Guest Artists the Governor’s School.

The guest artist fund Collaborations throughout the state continue to brings master artists to extend the reach of the Governor’s School as we fully Sincerely, campus to work directly engage our mission with the students and teachers of with our students. . We recently hosted the Dance Teacher

This is one of the most as Artist Institute on the campus as well as our fourth unique opportunities annual teacher retreat for arts teachers from around the given to Govies and you state. Our Outreach programs continue to serve more Cedric L. Adderley About the Cover can help make it happen! students in high-need areas of the state with summer The tradition continues! Each year the graduating class signs a initiatives in five counties, including new programs in rubber duck at the Senior Send-off dinner. The duck floats in the TIME TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! GIVE AT GSAFOUNDATION.NET Marion and Jasper counties. fountain on graduation day.

July 2019 1 BRANDON MICHAEL HALL

In April, Brandon Micheal Hall, star of the CBS series God Friended Me, was back on campus for the first time since he graduated in 2011. Brandon was selected as the recipient of the 2019 President’s Alumni Award. This award is bestowed on an accomplished graduate who has shown a commitment to the arts and artistic achievement while embodying the Governor’s School’s key values. This includes continuing to cultivate a personal responsibility for intellectual growth, maintaining a keen intellectual curiosity about the world, and evolving positively as a thinker and artist, while also contributing in positive ways to the community.

This school gives these kids the one degree to follow their dreams.

While he was on campus, Brandon spent time reuniting with his former teachers, doing interviews, and leading a master class with our Studio IV Drama students. He said that while he was honored to receive the alumni award, the real reward for him was getting to work with our Govies.

At the Artists In Bloom event, Brandon spoke with emotion about the impact the school made on him during his high school career. He shared how it takes one degree for water to turn from boiling to steam, and steam can power a locomotive. “They gave me one chance to follow my dream. I came to this school, and I worked hard, and I did it. And I’m still doing it.... This school gives these kids the one degree to follow their dreams.”

2 SCGSAH Alumni Newsletter July 2019 3 In May, Historic Columbia an- nounced Cory J. France (Music, DEPARTMENTAL KEEP YOUR EYE 2009) as its new director of mar- keting and communications. In ON this role, Cory will lead Historic CAMPUS NEWS Columbia’s marketing depart- We are very excited to share THESE GOVIES! ment and will serve as a spokes- that Dr. Jennifer Thomas has person for the organization. accepted the position of Dean Visual Arts alumnus (2018) Wes and Vice President for Arts and Quattlebaum won the South Carolina Justina Adorno (Drama, 2009) has Academics at the Governor’s State Award at ARTFIELDS! Wes created landed a role that could possibly School. Dr. Thomas was our this winning piece, Self Portrait, as his change her career. Justina will be founding Department of English senior concentration project which was starring in Grand Hotel which is Chair and served as Academics Our 26 Visual Arts seniors had a very productive year also selected for the 18th Annual SCGSAH produced by Eva Longoria and and Humanities Chair. and were recognized in several significant competitions Visual Arts Student Exhibition last May. stars Demian Bichir and Roselyn regionally and nationally. In the Scholastic Art Awards they It was his first time creating a woodblock Sanchez. Learn more here. received 59 awards in the region-at-large competition and print. 5 awards in the national competition. They participated May was a great month for 2004 We are pleased to announce and placed in the 29th Annual Upstate High School Art Music alum Jonathan Ice. He was that Faye Schober has accept- Exhibition and the 2019 Converse College Young Women The Alliance for Young Artists & Writ- promoted to Major in the USAF ed the position of Vice Presi- in Art exhibition. One student, Kushbu Jivan, was a 2019 ers has announced that Da’Shawn and graduated from the USAF dent for Finance and Admin- YoungArts Finalist and participated in National YoungArts Mosley (Creative Writing, 2012) has F-15E B-course. He is one of istration. Ms. Schober comes Week in Miami. In addition to having three outstanding been selected by author and writer about five people on active duty to us with an extensive back- student exhibitions in the Lipscomb Gallery during their Kiese Laymon as one of the 2019 who has flown both the U-2 and a fighter and the only ground in finance and account- senior year, they also created site-specific drawings for a recipients of A Suite of One’s Own: former “space-man” flying the Strike Eagle. ing with Branch Banking and year-long exhibition at the NEXT Innovation Center. A Writer’s Residency. Made possible Trust Company (BB&T) as well by the support of Amazon Literary 2002 Music alumnus Kevin Brown as with the Greenville County Partnership and The Roosevelt Hotel, this annual writer’s has been selected to join the Disabilities & Special Needs residency enables two alumni of the Scholastic Art & Writ- administration team at Lavilla School Board. ing Awards to travel to New York City and spend five nights of the Arts in Jacksonville, Florida, as at the historic Roosevelt Hotel. Over the course of the resi- one of two assistant principals. Kevin dency, Da’Shawn will be granted the time and space to fo- says he “... is truly excited to have cus on his writing projects, and will receive opportunities to the opportunity to work with and Our 43 Music seniors have placed in regional and national meet with literary professionals. More here. support some of Jacksonville’s most competitions, performed with various ensembles including talented teachers and students!” the Carolina Youth Symphony and the Greenville County Congratulations to 2018 Govie Drama Youth Orchestra, and participated in master classes with Alumna, Kelis Herriott! Kelis was recently Just as she did at the Governor’s such luminaries as the Berlin Philharmonic Woodwind crowned Miss South Carolina Plus School, 2016 Music alumna Sarah Quintet, Louise Toppin, Ivano Ascari, and Paul Sanchez. America for 2019. She also took first place Massengale enhances the learn- Many of them participated in the music tour of Germany in the Talent Contest, singing “Don’t Rain ing experience for teachers and over spring break, presenting public concerts in Leipzig, on My Parade” from the musical Funny students at the University of South Dresden, and Berlin. After graduation, they will attend Girl. Carolina. Learn more here. prestigious schools in the to pursue majors in music and in other areas of study. Berkeley Symphony has announced that Joseph Young (Summer Honors Our 16 Drama seniors had Program, 1999) has been named an incredible year filled Music Director of Berkeley Symphony Class Notes with high-caliber guest beginning with the 2019-2020 Where Are They Now? artists — David Rambo, Season. Congratulations! At the end of this school year, we bid farewell to three Adam Tate, Liza Bennett, 2004 Music alumna Hannah Dykes Markwardt welcomed beloved members of the Govie community who are Brandon Micheal Hall, An- a daughter, Ada Pearl. venturing into retirement life. Human Resources Director drew Pastides — a Studio IV Deborah Franks (left) has served the Governor’s School for Scene Showcase, multiple 2007 Drama alumna Danielle Emily Rzepka Vara (Music, 2014) recently welcomed a 13 years. Dean and Vice President of Arts and Academics sold-out performances of Brooks took on the role of Beatrice new baby girl, Abigail Cecylia. Julie Allen (center) was our founding social studies chair Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, and a trip to Chicago for the in Tony winner Kenny Leon’s Maggie Gould Wilson (Music, 2008) was married in May. and has served as dean for the past 10 years. Science Unified Theatre Auditions where they were heavily recruit- new staging of Much Ado About Instructor Alice Moraes has taught at the Governor’s School ed by premier college and university programs with schol- Nothing. The production ran from Richard Williams (Music, 2004) welcomed a baby boy, for five years. They have each made a positive and lasting arship offers. All seniors took and passed the Dueling Arts May 21 through June 23 in Central Johnson Parker, to his family. impact on our school, and we’re grateful for their service. Park’s outdoor Delacorte Theater. We’re so happy for them and wish them all the best! Continued on page 15 4 SCGSAH Alumni Newsletter July 2019 5 CLASS OF 2019

6 SCGSAH Alumni Newsletter July 2019 7 CLASS OF 2019 DESTINATIONS Isaiah Rafael Adderholdt | George Mason University Ricky Jakob Gibson | Appalachian State University William Thomas Lance | Cleveland Institute of Art Emily Grace Poore | Catawba College

Paulina Francesca Aparicio | Gap Year Tyler Elizabeth Gillespie | University of Gerogia Caroline Rose Lee | Clemson University Jesse Alexander Quales | Florida Southern College

Sarah Katherine Bacevich | Smith College Emma Shay Graham | Fashion Institute of Technology Riley Thomas LePere | Western Carolina University Hollings Anne Rankin | Emerson College

Xavier Lewis Baker | Eastman School of Music Morgan Wyette Hair | Winthrop University Rohshaye Caleb Lincoln | Warren Wilson College Annabelle Louisa Ravenscroft | Coastal Carolina University

Nathan Gage Banks | Destiny Nashya Harris | Berklee College of Music Amber Noel Magnuson | Columbia University Dylan Jeffrey Reynallt | Cincinnati Conservatory of Music

Jillian McKayla Boyd | Piedmont Technical College Ta’Shaun Anthony Harris | Greenville Technical College Taryn Juliette Marks | Furman University Jonathan Foster Richey | Oberlin Conservatory of Music

Audrey Denise Boyles | Appalachian State University Emma Elizabeth Hatchell | Clemson University Major Charles McCarty | Gap Year Alfredo Anthony Rojas | Clemson University

Maya Elizabeth Britton | Clemson University Jayden Mae Hitzelberger | Davidson College Alyssa Nicole McCaslin | University of Alabama Kaylin Elijah Sabina | University of South Carolina

Eric Alexzander Vladimir Bromberg | Wheaton College Aniston Sterling Hoffman | New College of Florida Emma Clare McClain | College of Charleston Emily Claire Seconi | Converse College

Rowan Grace Brown | Lehigh University Drew Taylor Hogan | College of Charleston Jontel Quensuan McKay | University of Missouri-Kansas City Logan McIver Shainwald | Oberlin College

Jaxon Alexander Casey | Berklee College of Music Maclean Blake Hueske | Scripps College Luke Grayson Melnyk | Oberlin Conservatory Cassandra Ann Sherbert | Loyola Chicago University

Benjamin Stephen Clark | Clemson University Grace Ruth Ingham | Case Western Reserve University Jessica Lynn Merkel | Warren Wilson College Erin Elaine Springs-McCottry | Ringling College of

Katherine Nicole Clark | University of Denver/Lamont Zeyvion Aa’mir Ingram | Military, Navy Sarah Peyton Mettler | Clemson University Art and Design School of Music Kennedy Victoria-Geneva Jackson | University of North Jasmine Elizabeth Moe | North Carolina State University Laurel Mary Stone | West Virginia University Kevin Richard Clausen | Savannah College of Art and Design Carolina School of the Arts Carson Leeann Mohler | College of Charleston Sydney Elizabeth Strader | Millikin University Malcolm Troy Davis, Jr. | Lawrence University McKenzie Jeter | Georgia State University Austen Elisabeth Money | Tufts University Caroline Marie Sykes | High Point University Catherine Elizabeth Dawes | Furman University Kushbu Amish Jivan | Fashion Institute of Technology Brian Christian Morris | Sewanee: The University of the South Elijah Root Valter | California Institute of the Arts Carolyn Rae Docherty | Dartmouth College Joshua Ronnie Johnson | Coastal Carolina University Irina Virginia Moul | College of Charleston Corinne Anna Vicario | Pomona College Michaela Grace Driggers | Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts Turner Nathaniel Jones | Wake Forest University Jeremiah Gabriel Moultrie | College of Charleston Morgan Ann Vuknic | James Madison University Priscilla Campbell Dukes | Case Western Reserve University Payton Larson Kennemore | Florida State University Briana Denise Mouzon | Winthrop University Hallie Gayle Walters | Southern Methodist University Wayne Emanuel Ellerbe | Clemson University Honor Providence Kerley | Clemson University Kenna Lynn O’Brien | Converse College Aysia Mackenzie Walton | Oberlin College and Conservatory Kevin Minze Feng | Duke University Andrew Warren Kevic | University of Michigan Emily Claire Oliver | College of Charleston Maila Seabourne Watson | Bridge to Clemson Samuel James Fenner | Undecided Rose Elizabeth Hamilton Khoury | Virginia Commonwealth Maggie Aileen Olszewski | Smith College Matthew Alexander Watson | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Sara Quinn Filler | Brandeis University University Eliza Grace Pagel | Fordham University Kaylie Elizabeth Kilpatrick | Furman University Kenya Denise Flippin | Southern Methodist University Michael Thomas Wheeler | Gap Year Gregory Ethan Pan | East Carolina University Elizabeth Shaker King | University of Utah Justin Thomas Floyd | College of Charleston Mary Claire Whitley | SUNY Purchase College Anna Miciah Pendarvis | Clemson University McKenzie Elizabeth Kothe | University of South Carolina Raekwon Malik Talib Fuller | Fordham University Corin Lide Wiggins | Coastal Carolina University Jessica Evelyn Perkins | Rhode Island School of Design Zachary David Kushubar | Southern Methodist University Haley Coughlin Gavin | New York University Caitlyn Joi Wilson | Pace University Lindsay Brooke Phillips | The Juilliard School Emma Louise Lacey | University of South Carolina Finleigh Grace Zack | SUNY Purchase College

8 SCGSAH Alumni Newsletter July 2019 9 DECISION DAY 2019

CONTINUED

10 SCGSAH Alumni Newsletter July 2019 11 DECISION DAY 2019

12 SCGSAH Alumni Newsletter July 2019 13 Interested in getting involved? Departmental News, continued from page 5 Furthering Their International and/or Society of American Fight Directors Become a Class Agent! Skills Proficiency tests and became Certified Combatants. Education and Careers Much of this issue is dedicated to celebrating our 2019 high school graduates, but we also want to recognize The Class Agent Program is designed to engage alumni in the wider school community through alumni that graduated from college or earned advanced ongoing interactive communication. Becoming a Class Agent is beneficial both to alumni and to the degrees this year. school on many levels. Alex Adams | Master of Arts, Columbia University Class Agents connect with former classmates, as well as establish a rewarding network of friends Emilio Alverson | Furman University and colleagues. Class Agents, moreover, help increase class participation at alumni events. Finally, Anthonio Brady SUNY Purchase Class Agents work to build a sense of community among SCGSAH graduates. | Alessandra Gomez | Master of Arts, Columbia University Michaela Jenkins | Kenyon College Frequently Asked Questions Laura Lynn Brickle King | Furman University Our 11 Dance seniors have worked so hard this year Grant McClure | Wofford College and their honors, scholarship offers, and acceptances Ben Merritt | Minneapolis College of Art and Design What are Class Agents? to the top dance programs in the nation are solid proof. Class Agents act as liaisons between the Alumni Coordinator and their classmates. Highlights of their accomplishments include Lindsay Cameron Messinides | Kenyon College Phillips’ acceptance to The Juilliard School, as one of John Ott | Master of Education, Converse College 12 female dancers accepted worldwide; Hallie Walters’ What is the purpose of the Class Agent Program? honorable mention recognition by the 2019 National Annie Park | University of South Carolina The Class Agent Program provides a network of classmates to ensure that alumni keep in touch Dance Education Organization Artistic Merit, Leadership, with each other. Class Agents also play an active role in keeping classmates and Academic Achievement Awards; and Finleigh Zack’s Xavier Westergaard | Yale University up-to-date on events and news. choreographic work’s selection, as one of 12 out of 100 high school and university students nationwide, for the New Century Dance Project in Salt Lake City, Utah. Also, How do Class Agents help? nine of our seniors were inducted into the National Honor THE Class Agents can help the Alumni Coordinator by: Society for Dance Arts. ONAlumni Day HORIZON • Keeping alumni aware of school activities Saturday, October 12, 2019 • Informing the Alumni Coordinator of activities and whereabouts of alumni • Encouraging alumni to attend school-sponsored events

What are typical activities of Class Agents? • Encouraging classmates to email updates for the quarterly newsletter • Informing the Alumni Coordinator of alumni ideas and concerns • Working with members of the AAC to increase alumni participation

What support will the Alumni Office provide? The Alumni Coordinator will supply: • Lists of class members • Notification of upcoming events by city Our 13 Creative Writing seniors have been recognized • Organization of alumni gatherings widely for their talents and hard work. Their accolades Get your • Communication of news and updates about SCGSAH alumni include an international winner of the Foyle Young Poets of the Year, a National YoungArts finalist, one U.S. Presidential Govie Alumni T-shirt Today! Scholar in the Arts, an overwhelming number of National and Region-at-Large Scholastic Writing awards, both first $10 and second place wins in Ringling College’s Storytellers Includes Shipping • Many Sizes Contact Anna King for more information! of Tomorrow Contest, along with multiple publications in [email protected] or 864.282.3724 literary journals. But, most importantly, congratulations To order: [email protected] or to Hollings Rankin for winning the department’s most prestigious honor, the Foiled Again Award. 864.282.3724

14 SCGSAH Alumni Newsletter July 2019 15 DAY GOVIE

16 SCGSAH Alumni Newsletter July 2019 17 # Spread the Word Join the Alumni Council Join the Alumni Advisory Council. Let the Alumni Shout it out from the rooftops, include office know you’re interested by getting involved. your love for SCGSAH when you’re We welcome your ideas, help and input to keep an talking to your friends or family, or engaged alumni group. mention us on social media. We love when people give us a shout out!

Stay Up To Date Keep Us in the Loop Be sure to keep up with what is happening on campus by making We want to hear about you! What are you sure the Alumni Office has your up to now? Tell us about your successes most current contact information. and how you have benefited from Visit the Alumni section of the SCGSAH. Tell us how we can translate website for current news. For that experience for others who have the additional information, you same dreams and aspirations as you. can also sign up to receive the Supporters respond to stories. Tell us Foundation’s newsletter. yours!

Advocate for Donate to the Governor’s SCGSAH School Foundation

If you still live in the Be a onetime donor, or a Palmetto state, contact monthly donor. Support a your member of the Attend a specific arts area, program, state legislature and the Current Event or fund. Set up a fundraiser Governor to share what at your favorite location that the Governor’s School Come back, reminisce, supports SCGSAH. Give small, means to you and our and bring friends and give big. Everything donated state. Not sure who family with you. Find the directly helps fund artists, to contact? Check out upcoming performance activities, and students. Find this website for more calendar on our website. information. out more here about other ways to give.

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