Central Methodist University’s Department of Fine and Performing Arts recently honored their top students during an end-of-the-year celebration.
Myriah Araiza, a theatre arts major from Columbia, received the Dr. Joseph Geist Award in Performing Arts, and was recognized for having a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher as of the end of the fall 2018 term. She also won the S. Frederick Rhoads Award for Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role for her part as Fraulein Schneider in Cabaret, as well as the S. Frederick Rhoads Award for Most Versatile Player.
Alex Autry, an education and music education double major from Norborne, was recognized for leadership as one of the two 2018-19 Music Festival Fellows, and also for having a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher as of the end of the fall 2018 term.
Jenny Barnett, a theatre arts major from Ballwin, was honored with the Martin E. Kooi Excellence in Theatre Arts Award, the S. Frederick Rhoads Award for Best Assistant Director/Stage Manager in Cabaret, and was recognized for having a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher as of the end of the fall 2018 term.
Kody Bartel, a music major from Yorktown, Va., received the W.D. Settle Award.
Bryan Berliner, an education and music education double major from Hermann, received the Swinney Conservatory Super Hero Award.
Emily Braden, a theatre arts major from Silex, was the recipient of the S. Frederick Rhoads Award for Outstanding Newcomer.
Audrey Brandon, a mathematics major from Moberly, was honored with the Swinney Conservatory Outstanding Musician Award (presented to a non-major), and also was recognized for leadership as the 2018-19 Band Fellow. Additionally, Brandon was recognized for having a cumulative grade point average of 4.0 or higher as of the end of the fall 2018 term.
Cori Bryan, a music education major from Springfield, received the S. Frederick Rhoads Award for Best Female Actor in a Leading Role for her part as Sally Bowles in Cabaret.
Abby Burns, a nursing major from Boonville, received recognition as an Outstanding Color Guard Member, and was recognized for having a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher as of the end of the fall 2018 term.
Cayla Carr, a music education major from Mount Sterling, was honored with the Dane Nelson Memorial Award.
Adam Christal, a music major from Boonville, was honored with the Martin C. Harrall Award.
Gannon Craig, a music education major from Salem, received the Prof. Paul A. Montemurro Award.
Mitchell Crofton, a music ministry major from Springfield, Ill., was the recipient of the Swinney Conservatory Outstanding Freshman Award, and was recognized for having a cumulative grade point average of 4.0 or higher as of the end of the fall 2018 term.
Keaton Denney, a music education major from Cole Camp, was one of two recipients of the Luther T. Spayde Award. He also was recognized in the Missouri Federation of Music Clubs (Vocal), as the 2018-19 Choir Fellow, and as the 2018-19 Opera Fellow. Additionally, Denney was recognized for having a cumulative grade point average of 4.0 or higher as of the end of the fall 2018 term.
Rae Dorman, an interdisciplinary studies major from Jefferson City, was honored as an Outstanding Senior Color Guard Member.
Jordan Fallis, a music education major from Moberly, received the S. Frederick Rhoads Award for Backstage Magician.
Alec Fields, an education and music education double major from Fulton, was honored with one of two Drum Major Awards.
John Hennessy, a political science major from Independence, received the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Scholastic Award, and was recognized for having a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher as of the end of the fall 2018 term.
Ezekiel Jones, a music major from St. Louis, received the S. Frederick Rhoads Award for Best Male Actor in a Leading Role for his part as Emcee in Cabaret.
Amy Keene, a music major from Fulton, won the Sigma Alpha Iota Collegiate Honor Award.
Zack Kierstead, a music major from Kirkwood, won the Helen Puckett Thogmorton Award for Excellence in Music.
Tiffani Knecht, a criminal justice major from Lawson, was the recipient of the Sigma Alpha Iota Scholastic Award, and for having a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher as of the end of the fall 2018 term.
Amanda Lewis, an education and music education double major from Palmyra, was recognized for leadership as the 2018-19 Conservatory Singers Fellow, and was recognized for having a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher as of the end of the fall 2018 term.
Mikaela Lewis, a music major from Harrisburg, was the recipient of the Mike Magyar Fine Arts-Leadership Award, and also was one of two recipients of the Drum Major Award. Additionally, Lewis was recognized for having a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher as of the end of the fall 2018 term.
Rachel Martin, a music education major from Fayette, was the recipient of the American Choral Directors Association National Student Choral Musician Award, and was recognized for having a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher as of the end of the fall 2018 term.
Jaiden Preston, a psychology major from Kennett, received the S. Frederick Rhoads Award for Most Improved… The Phoenix Award.
Abbey Ruggles, a music ministry major from Fayette, received the Music Teachers National Association Student Achievement Award, and was also one of two recipients of the Luther T. Spayde Award. Additionally, Ruggles was recognized for having a cumulative grade point average of 4.0 or higher as of the end of the fall 2018 term.
Samantha Shively, a music education major from Hunnewell, was awarded the Hickman Award for Music, and was also recognized for her leadership as the Keith House Band Fellow for the 2018-19 year.
Zac Smith, an education and middle school (science) double major from Norborne, was honored with the S. Frederick Rhoads Award for Shop Superstar.
Joshua Stettes, a music education major from Pacific, received the Raney Winter NAfME Award, the R. Paul Drummond Memorial Award, and was also recognized for his leadership as one of two of the 2018-19 Music Festival Fellows. Additionally, Stettes was honored for having a cumulative grade point average of 4.0 or higher as of the end of the fall 2018 term.
Katelyn Watts, an education and elementary education double major from Louisiana, received the S. Frederick Rhoads Award for Dedication to Improvisation, and also was recognized for having a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher as of the end of the fall 2018 term.
Hadley Wiggans, a music major from Macon, was honored with the Nancy Thompson Jones Gem Award, and also won the S. Frederick Rhoads Award for Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role as Herr Schultz in Cabaret.
Brendan Wiesehan, a music education major from Villa Ridge, received the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Collegiate Honor Award, as well as the Herman C. Byrd Award. He also was recognized for having a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher as of the end of the fall 2018 term.
Many other fine arts students also were recognized for high academic achievement. The follow students, as identified by the Dean’s Office, had a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher as of the end of the fall 2018 term.
Megan Adams, an education and music education double major from Fulton; Tayler Allen, a middle school education major from Palmyra; Catherine Barnard, a nursing major from Columbia; Hannah Bezona, a computer science major from Independence; Kelly Briggs, an education and music education double major from Eagleville;
Joel Concannon, an undeclared major from Boonville; Elizabeth Cueni-Smith, an education and music education double major from Chillicothe; Ezechiel Daos, a music major from Dixon; Addylyn Gabriel, an education and music education double major from Agency; Anna Geurkink, an education and music education double major from Perryville;
Emily Greene, a nursing major from Centralia; Hannah Guilford, a music education major from Centralia; Rachel Guilford, a nursing major from Centralia; Josiah Kee, a music ministry major from New Franklin; Alicia King, an English major from Salisbury; Desirae Martin, a biology major from Hallsville;
Zach Martin, an education and music education double major from Stanton; Jodi Mootz, a biology major from Sedalia; Bria Neill, a biology major from Aurora; Solana Romo, a psychology and criminal justice double major from Kansas City; Connor Sanchegraw, an education and music education double major from Columbia;
Nathaniel Sater, a music education major from Pacific; Abbey Sorrell, a chemistry major from Columbia; Bailey Stevens, a chemistry major from Glasgow; Molly Taylor, a nursing major from Fulton; Enoch Turner, a religion and church leadership major from Prairie Home;
Mikayla Uhlemeyer, an education and music education double major from Columbia; Kylie VanGundy, a biology major from Wentzville; Cemaria Woodward, a biology major from Saint Peters; and Ashley Wright, an education and theatre arts double major from Windsor.
The following students had a cumulative GPA of 4.0 or higher as of the end of the fall 2018 term:
Austin Bristow, an education and music double major from Fulton; Carlie Baldus, a nursing major from Blue Springs; Madalyn Bartholomew, an education and music education double major from Salisbury; Caitlyn Landewee, a biology major from Leopold; Joni Lehman, an undeclared major from Jefferson City; Molly Reynolds, a biology major from Glasgow; Hailey Sage, an education and music education double major from Fayette; and Chely Stratton, a nursing major from Raymore.