Visual and Performing Art Receives Recognition and Honors
The Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Department of the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) announced winners of the 2022 VAPA Spotlight Awards. The VAPA Spotlight Awards celebrate Transforming Lives Through the Arts across San Diego Unified School District. These awards highlight outcomes that are aligned with the goals of the district’s strategic plan for the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA), originally adopted by the Board of Education in 2016.
Awardees are nominated by the SDUSD VAPA community of students, teachers, parents, arts partners and administrators. Winners are selected by a committee that represents classroom teachers, VAPA leaders, the VAPA Advisory Council, and the VAPA Foundation, whose mission is to increase access to and enhance the quality of arts education in the San Diego Unified School District. The VAPA Foundation thanks North Island Credit Union and Gloria Rogers, vice president of School & Community Development, for graciously sponsoring $250 scholarships to student award recipients.
Awardees were recognized at the 2022 VAPA Spotlight Awards Presentation Event on Sunday, March 13, 2022 at the San Diego Civic Theatre. The awards presentation immediately preceded the 2022 High School Instrumental Music Honor Concert held in the theater.
This year’s VAPA Spotlight Award winners are as follows:
Artistic Achievement Award
o Benjamin Delgado, Student – Mission Bay High School
o Andres Martinez, Student – Central Elementary School
o Emma Schweitzer, Student – Canyon Hills High School
o Nicole Warkentien, Student – SD School of Creative and Performing Arts
Artistic Growth Award
o Jeanne Christensen, Teacher, Mira Mesa High School
o Peter Ekong, Student – Canyon Hills High School
o Jackson Vaccaro, Student – Green Elementary School
Artistic Innovation Award
o Mishell Rudden, Teacher, Dingeman Elementary School
Creative Community Engagement Award
o Andrea Lemaitre, Teacher – San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts
o Kayla RodgersTeacher – San Diego High School
o Barbara Smith, Teaching Artist – McKinley Elementary School
o Malashock Dance, community arts organization
o West Coast Winter Guard, community arts organization
Creative Leadership Award
o Brandon Corenman, Teacher – University City High School
o Selina Gonzalez, Student – San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts
o Theo Martien, Student – Mt. Everest Academy
o Abigail Parra Rodriguez, Student – Canyon Hills High School
o Jeff Sabins, Principal – Mira Mesa High School
o Jessica Turner, Student – Canyon Hills High School
Rising Star Award
o Krista Nelson, Teacher – Madison High School
o Marielena Teng, Teacher – Challenger Middle School and Mira Mesa High School.
