PHOTO BY TERRI LYNN HOWARD
BLACKSBURG – The Rotary Club of Blacksburg awarded 2024-2025 Outstanding Fine Arts Student Awards to four incredibly talented MCPS seniors at their weekly luncheon meeting.
The students were accompanied by their nominating teachers and family members and friends. Each teacher was proud to describe why they nominated the senior for the scholarship. Then each student either displayed their artwork, performed their talent or showed a video of their talent.
Gunin Kiran, Youth Achievement Committee Chair, welcomed everyone and complimented the committee for the hard work they did to put together the program to honor the scholarship recipients.
The Superintendent of Montgomery County Schools, Dr. Bernie Bragen, Jr. spoke as a Rotarian and on behalf of the school board, thanking the Rotary for the support of these Fine Arts students as they continue their education.
The committee received 20 nominations from teachers and looked at high GPAs, extracurricular activities, volunteer work and part-time jobs to choose the four Fine Arts scholarship winners. Last week, six scholarships were awarded for Outstanding Career and Technical Education and Math and Science Education. The award includes a $1000 scholarship to further the students’ educations in their chosen field.
The Outstanding Fine Arts Awards were presented to Munich Bruschz do Nascimento, Avery Coggins and Abigail Hewitt of Christiansburg High School. The fourth award went to Dacey Lane of Auburn High School. Each student spoke and thanked the Rotary for the award.
Munich showed samples of her paintings and it was easy to see why her nominating teacher said, “She is skilled and creative as a student and has a heart for service.”
Munich plans to get a degree in Fine Arts and eventually a PhD so she can teach. She will major in Communication Arts/Animation.
Avery spoke and then performed on the Marimba and played a lovely piece that sounded like one was standing by a waterfall. She plans to go to Radford University and major in Music Education.
Abigail’s teacher said, “It is an honor to nominate her for the award.”
Abigail began dancing at age four and has become a beautiful dancer. She trains and performs with the Southwest Virginia Ballet and has been in many performances in the area. She plans to major in English and Dance.
Dacey was introduced by her music teacher who said, “She is a dream student.”
She then sang a beautiful song in Italian. She will major in Music Education.
All of the students showed incredible abilities as they shared their skills with the lunchtime Rotarians and guests. As a Rotary group, it was good to see the scholarships are a good investment in the future of these highly talented students.
