3/28/25 Fine Arts Department News

The team of Camden Coale (junior) and Layton Braziel (junior) went undefeated this weekend and won the UIL 2025 CX Debate championship.

Our second team of Maddie Prawdzik (soph) and Emma Goga (freshman) advanced to elimination rounds and finished in 9th place as well.

Speech and Debate director Toby Whisenhunt said, "I could not be prouder of this group of young people. And that you all for your assistance and support of the debate team and these students." Congrats, Scots!

The Highland Belles wrapped up their successful 2024-2025 season on March 2nd at the Contest of Champions Dance Nationals in Orlando, Florida.

Congratulations to the Highland Belles, who were named National Champions for their class size in Jazz, Kick, Pom and Contemporary! The Belles were the only team of their size with 63 teams in attendance placing 13th overall, awarded $1000, National Champion jackets and received the Spirit Award.

Soloist dancers were seniors Brigitte Brown, Cate Margolin, Alexandra Wright, and Mary Mathison and junior Kylie Barnes. Sophomore soloists Sadie Nerenberg, Catherine Perhirin and Solene Perhirin also competed. Cate Margolin was our overall high scorer in solos and earned 15th place in her division out of 110 dancers. Brigitte Brown, Katherine Ditchman, Ashley Mowan, Alexandra Wright, Catherine Perhirin, and Liddy Brewer made it to the final 15 improvisational skills in the Champion Dance Down. Liddy Brewer placed 4th overall in the Dance Down Improvisational. We couldn’t be more proud of ALL of our dancers for their hard work and dedication to the contest season. Congratulations Belles!

Congratulations to the HP Winter Guard for their outstanding performance and 2nd place finish in their very first Scholastic A competition at the North Texas Colorguard Association contest in Lewisville! We are so proud of you!

Congratulations to the Highland Park High School 2024-2025 UIL Theatrical Design participants, receiving the following awards:

STATE SEMI-FINALISTS:

-Junior Biviyana Bhattarai, Junior Julia Kerr, Senior Bellamy McClung-Gonzalez, Sophomore Lauren Tharp with their biomimicry-inspired Group Design

AWARD OF DISTINGUISHED MERIT:

-Junior Faith Mazzucchi, with her impressionist-inspired Marketing Design

AWARD OF HONOR:

-Sophomore Cadence Walsh, with her François Boucher-inspired Marketing Design

GREASE is the word! Rock 'n' Roll over to MIS/HPMS to see Danny, Sandy, the T-Birds and the Pink Ladies of Rydell High! You will be grooving in your seats as your classmates perform iconic songs from this fun-loving, hit musical! The show is family friendly and suitable for all ages. All performances will be in the MIS/HPMS Auditorium on the following dates:

• Thursday, April 10 at 6 p.m.
• Friday, April 11 at 4 p.m.
• Saturday, April 12 at 5 p.m.
• Sunday, April 13 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are available for $8 (online pre-sale info coming soon). General admission tickets will be sold at the door and in the cafeteria the week of the show.

Congratulations to the HPMS One Act Play company for taking second place at the UIL One Act Play Middle School District Contest at Argyle Middle School in February! The cast and crew of 21 students competed against other area schools with an incredible performance of The Masque of Beauty and the Beast.

Bravo to individual award winners: Luca Brack and Anoushka Ghai (All-Star Cast), Brooks Buis and Arabella Frizell (Honorable Mention All-Star Cast) and Knox Heinlen (Outstanding Tech).

A HUGE thank you to Director Genevieve Croft for reviving this competition theatre tradition, Co-Director Shannon Howerton, Raider Drama Booster Club and parent volunteers who supported this outstanding company!

Under the direction of music teacher Dianne Morgan, the Armstrong third graders performed "Go Fish!", a nautical musical tale about a shark who wanted to be friends with everyone, and a group of misfit sea creatures who taught her the true meaning of friendship. The cast featured Djembe-playing Drum Fish, singing Goldfish, rapping "Card Sharks", square dancing Seahorses, crabby Crabs, comical Clownfish, snapping Red Snappers, guarding Swordfish, and a giant Electric Eel.

Hyer third graders are diving into the art of weaving! They started by designing their own looms and will soon begin the hands-on process of weaving to create their unique pieces.