The evening began with an art show in the main lobby exhibiting work by students in Art I, Design, Art II, 3-D Art, 3-D Art II, Advanced Painting & Drawing, Advanced Painting & Drawing II, Honors Studio, and AP Studio Art.

The concert featured incredible performances by the IHA Orchestra and Voices, in addition to the presentation of graduation honor cords to the senior members of both the Tri-M Music Honor Society and the National Art Honor Society. As is tradition at the annual Spring Arts Festival, Miss Kerry Carroll’04, principal, presented the Mary Ellen “Molly” Offer’06 Memorial Scholarship Award during the concert. Congratulations to the 2023 recipient, Ava Previzi’24.

This award is presented in memory of Mary Ellen “Molly” Offer, a graduate of IHA’s class of 2006 and the youngest of five sisters who are all IHA graduates. The memorial scholarship was established by her parents and sisters. It is the intention of the family that the award is presented to a student who typifies the qualities they so loved in Molly: a student who loves theatre, art, and design; has a deep love for family; and is willing to share compassion, spiritual values, and love of life with everyone she meets.

This year’s recipient, Ava, is the 2023-2024 Service Chair of the International Thespian Society. As an active member of the performing arts community, she has excelled onstage and off: in the spotlight as a radiant dancer in Legally Blonde, All Shook Up, and Xanadu; as well as behind the scenes, creating visionary costumes as a talented seamstress. Soft-spoken and thoughtful, she was one of the top students in IHA’s rigorous Music Theatre Studio class, with both extraordinarily detailed bookwork and mesmerizing, connected performances. Most importantly, Ava is generous, kind, and cares deeply for the well-being of her peers. She is an active member of the National Art Honor Society and will serve as an activities coordinator next year. She has also excelled in her Advanced Painting and Drawing class this semester. Like Molly, and true to the spirit of the award, she is always willing to lend a hand.

Thank you to the IHA administration, the Tri-M and NAHS Board members, and the Arts Department staff including Mrs. Lisa Encke P’20, director of the arts; Ms. Patrizia Tersigni P’14, art teacher; Ms. Taryn Tonelli’09, coordinator of the performing arts and choral music director, and Mr. Joseph Martorano P’09, orchestra director; and all of our artists and performing artists who shared their talent with the IHA community this spring!

Click here for the full photo album, courtesy of Mike Hamlett Photography and Tara Hopfenspirger.