Photo by Mikhail Nilov from Pexels.

This year there was another group of incredible students that participated in the arts programs here at Hamilton going on to further their education in their specific art in college. All students were asked to answer some questions about their experience throughout high school and submit a photo of either themselves performing or of a piece of art they are proud of in their specific medium. Congrats seniors!

Josiah Bender

What college are you going to?

Gap year, then undecided college.

What will be your major in college?

Music theater or vocal performance.

What gave you an interest in your specific art?

During the musical, I realized the love I have for acting, and so that's what I want to do for the rest of my life.

What would you tell future high school students that are interested in going into an art at Hamilton?

Don't just compare yourself to others. While competition is great, don't build a life on thinking you're worse than everyone else.

What is your favorite memory from high school in your specific art?

Smart cow after closing Once Upon a Mattress.

Have there been any teachers you want to thank for their help in your high school career?

I want to thank Mrs. Troy and Mr. Waite for their outstanding commitment and care for helping students grow in the arts.

Do you want to thank anyone else?

I want to thank my parents for their unwavering support.

Hailey Christian

What college are you going to?

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee! I chose this college because I will be majoring in nursing and they have a great nursing program that focuses on hands-on learning. I also will be minoring in studio art and the options provided for the arts are very accessible to my wants and needs.

What will be your major in college?

Nursing.

What gave you an interest in your specific art?

I’ve always had an interest in drawing and painting because of my mom, who is very creative and inspired me to adapt that personality as well.

What would you tell future high school students that are interested in going into an art at Hamilton?

Take art! While it’s often viewed as an “easy A” class, it’s much more than that. From my experience, the art classes build communities and connections like no others. If you decide to, make sure you’re dedicated to the commitment in art-making!

What is your favorite memory from high school in your specific art?

My favorite memory from high school in my specific art was beginning AP Art and developing a portfolio that's based off of a sustained investigation.

Have there been any teachers you want to thank for their help in your high school career?

Ms. Strelow and Mr. Malcore.

Aaralyn Rowe

What college are you going to?

UW Eau-Claire. I chose this college because it is notorious for having the largest marching band in Wisconsin, which has been an important part of my high school career. This college also has a beautiful campus and good mental health support.

What will be your major in college?

Environmental Science.

What gave you an interest in your specific art?

I grew up surrounded by music, and when given the choice of an instrument, the clarinet called to me. There are a lot of popular musical pieces written for the clarinet, which has kept me going and practicing for the past 7 years.

What would you tell future high school students that are interested in going into an art at Hamilton?

Have faith in yourself, put yourself out there, and don’t quit.

What is your favorite memory from high school in your specific art?

Conducting a piece in a concert was a fond memory, as well as watching the sunsets during band camp.

Have there been any teachers you want to thank for their help in your high school career?

I want to thank Mr. Waite for putting trust in me and guiding me to be the leader I am today.

Do you want to thank anyone else?

I want to thank my parents for supporting my interest in music.

Olivia Scheer

What college are you going to?

UW-Milwaukee because they have a great architecture program and it is closer to home.

What will be your major in college?

Architecture.

What gave you an interest in your specific art?

Playing video games like Bloxburg on Roblox and just traveling the world, especially going to Europe.

What would you tell future high school students that are interested in going into an art at Hamilton?

There is no definition as to what is right or wrong but that art is subjective to whoever sees it. Also, the teachers are very friendly and nice and always want to see you improve and succeed.

What is your favorite memory from high school in your specific art?

Probably taking ceramics and advanced ceramics because we got to use our imagination on the projects meaning that there was a certain topic like we had to make a lantern but it could be whatever theme or design based on our childhood.

Have there been any teachers you want to thank for their help in your high school career?

Ms. Strelow and Mr. Malcore.

Do you want to thank anyone else?

My mom and my dad.

Ezri Schulze

What college are you going to?

Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design(MIAD).

What will be your major in college?

Graphic Communications/Graphic Design and a minor in Marketing through Marquette.

What gave you an interest in your specific art?

I have always loved art, and I wanted to find some way to still do it in the future but make sure I would have a secure job that I would still love.

What would you tell future high school students that are interested in going into an art at Hamilton?

There are so many great art schools and art programs within bigger schools in the area so go check them out. But if you have any interest in doing art professionally and have the time, you should definitely find a summer precollege program to do, they are a great way to figure out if you want to go on with it in college. Again I personally loved the MIAD one, but even an online one would be a great way to figure that out.

What is your favorite memory from high school in your specific art?

Over the past two years I have gotten the opportunity to work with multiple different teachers and other staff members to put up graphics around the school. Mostly with window designs. It was a great way to experience what working with a client may look like in my future and it’s also great to see them around school as I pass by them, knowing that I was the one that helped put them there.

“B. Skye” Ulrich

What college are you going to?

Gap year for finances, uncommitted due to moving! Probably UW-Milwaukee to start.

What will be your major in college?

Art education or Education, minoring in fine art or art history if college doesn't show me a secret path!

What gave you an interest in your specific art?

I am a mixed medium artist, and I specialize in skill-seeking! Since childhood, I've idolized every creative person in my life, my family members adored (wink wink) the toddler days of rainbow walls and sticker bombings. Figuratively, I'd make garbage into gold if it means I get to learn a new skill, trade, or find a fun new hobby. Last night I learned wood burning. Two weeks from now it could be leatherworking, or maybe finally getting around to all my unfinished projects. After graduation, my primary focus is to build my home art studio wall by wall with my fiancé to ensure we will always have space to follow the call to create.

What would you tell future high school students that are interested in going into an art at Hamilton?

DIVE IN! Everyone from Hamilton's arts departments are amazingly cool. The educators, from drama, to painting, to music, to ceramics, are incredibly sweet and patient people who understand that skills take time to grow! It's way more fun to throw yourself into it and find what you like to do from there, pursue your best work, know that putting yourself out there and being weird is better than boring, and you will love anything you do with the arts team!

What is your favorite memory from high school in your specific art?

I found out how much fun I have working with young kids through face painting events hamiltons' National Arts Honour Society chapter goes to! Lots of fun for kids, us, and parents!

Have there been any teachers you want to thank for their help in your high school career?

Bri Strelow.

Do you want to thank anyone else?

Shoutout to Kris Behling for being an amazing studio-sharer, always pushing me and my art to be the best we can be!

Lauren Steighner

What college are you going to?

Boston University.

What will be your major in college?

BFA Acting.

What gave you an interest in your specific art?

Watching First Stage performances throughout elementary school led to me joining a local community theater (Lake Country Playhouse) where I acted for 6 years before joining Hamilton Drama!

What would you tell future high school students that are interested in going into an art at Hamilton?

Take every opportunity available to you! Audition for everything! Allow yourself to dream big and then work hard to make it come true! Anything is possible!

What is your favorite memory from high school in your specific art?

The One Acts each year, Fire Exit, Dreamwalk, and A Game. They were so so fun to be a part of and I wouldn't be going into professional theatre without them.

Have there been any teachers you want to thank for their help in your high school career?

Troy!!! She is truly amazing and I am so grateful for her! I wouldn't be who I am today without her!

Do you want to thank anyone else?

My parents for their unwavering support of my passion for Acting, my mom for all of the work she put into helping me audition for 20 acting programs, and the company Theatre Major for helping me throughout my long audition process. And of course- Hamilton Drama Society!