Orange-Ulster BOCES honors regional arts and humanities achievement

MIDDLETOWN — On Thursday, April 26, 32 high school seniors who have distinguished themselves in the arts and humanities during their high school careers were honored for their significant achievement.
Students from school districts in the Orange-Ulster BOCES region were feted at the fifth annual Senior Scholar Humanities Breakfast held at Kuhl’s Highland House in Middletown.
The Senior Scholar Humanities Breakfast is coordinated each year by the Orange-Ulster BOCES Division of Instructional Support. The students, their parents, teachers, high school principals, superintendents and BOCES administration were invited to celebrate the students’ outstanding accomplishments in the fine arts, theater, music, fashion and jewelry design.
The keynote speaker for the event was Nick Zungoli, an internationally recognized Hudson Valley landscape photographer whose work has appeared in National Geographic, The New York Times and Popular Photography.
Among the 32 honorees were Christian Deas and Theresa Bailey from the S.S. Seward Institute in Florida and Max Von der Horst and Chloe Borthwick from Warwick Valley High School.
Here’s a summary of their accomplishments:
Among the 32 honorees were Heidi Willins and Samantha Castricone from George F. Baker High School in Tuxedo and John Uhelsky and Angela Prictoe from Monroe-Woodbury High School.
Here’s a summary of their accomplishments:
Christian Deas, S.S. Seward InstituteChristian will be attending SUNY Cortland this fall. He plans on majoring in musical theater.
Christian is currently a senior Chess Club member. He is also president of the Drama Club, along with being part of the set building team. Christian stage directs for the middle school productions and was selected All-Section for Varsity class C/D soccer this year.
Christian has performed in six performances for his school and four outside of school. He is currently rehearsing for two other shows coming in the following months.
Theresa Bailey, S.S. Seward InstituteTheresa will be attending SUNY Orange this fall in Middletown. She plans on majoring in business administration to pursue her dream of opening her own business.
Theresa is currently vice president of NHS, vice president of the Art Club and third in her graduating class. She is an active member in her school and church community.
During her four years in high school, Theresa has participated in Varsity Soccer and Varsity Basketball.
After school she baby sits and in her free time she enjoys doing artwork.
Max Von der Horst, Warwick Valley High SchoolMax Von der Horst will be attending the University of Southern California this fall to study filmmaking.
Max is currently involved with theatre arts through the school as student director and works as stage manager for the Acting Out
Playhouse in Warwick.
He takes art classes at Mill Street Loft in Poughkeepsie, and is a part of their chapter of the National Art Honors Society, where he has spearheaded many art-related community service activities.
This past fall, he participated in the Senior Project class at Mill Street Loft and created 12 films in 12 weeks based upon Carl Jung’s concept of Individuation.
Max is also a member of the National Honor Society through his high school. His artwork has been exhibited in multiple shows and he has won several awards for his artistic achievement.
Chloe Borthwick, Warwick Valley High SchoolChloe Borthwick is planning on majoring in jazz or songwriting/studio composition in the fall. She has not yet decided on the university that she will attend.
Chloe is currently the principal oboist for the Honors Wind Ensemble, a member of the Honors Choir, the Meistersingers, and a member and arranger for Warwick Valley High School’s all girls a cappella group, the Cat’s Meow.
As an active member of WVHS Music Department, Chloe has participated in All-County, Area All-State and All-State Jazz Choir. In addition to All-State Jazz Choir, Chloe was also accepted to the All-State Concert Band.
Outside of school, Chloe is an active performer and songwriter. Among her achievements, Chloe is a Young Arts Composition Merit winner, a finalist in the 2016 International Songwriting Competition, as well as one of the eight vocalists in the 2017 Grammy Jazz Choir.