AEI Student of the Month

 

Emily Humberson selected Student Artist of the Month

Jefferson High School student recognized

for her involvement in the theatre program

  

  

Morgantown WV (February 2011) Emily Humberson, a senior at Jefferson High School, Jefferson County, is the February Student Artist of the Month.  The award is sponsored by the Appalachian Education Initiative (www.aeiarts.org) and Chesapeake Energy (www.chk.com).  Humberson, who was nominated by her theatre director and teacher, Steve Glendenning, is the daughter of Rhonda Jackson and Jay Humberson of Kearneysville, West Virginia.

 

"We are excited about the number of entries we continue to receive for this program," said AEI Executive Director Lou Karas. "The nominations have come from across the state and show that there are many students in our public schools who are excelling in the arts, academics and other school and community activities."

 

Humberson has been involved in the theatre program at Jefferson High School since her freshman year.  During this time she has transitioned from acting to stage management.  Last year, she was nominated to the WV Thespian Student Board for Thespian Troupe 2774, and this year she serves as Vice President of the same Troupe.  Emily is a member of the National Honor Society and has assisted with a school wide recycling program and various community based activities. She is also a storyteller and writer.

 

"Each month, this program recognizes a student who finds time to excel in their classes, the arts and other extracurricular activities as well," said Jack Thompson, public affairs coordinator for Chesapeake Energy.  "Emily's successes in academics and theatre demonstrate the balance of a student-artist."

 

"We hope that we will continue to receive nominations of this caliber throughout the school year," Karas said.  "The more we can do to increase awareness of the value of arts education in public schools, the more opportunities we have to strengthen those programs in the schools."

 

To be nominated for the recognition, a student must meet five criteria, according to Karas.  A student must:

  • Be a junior or senior attending a West Virginia public school,
  • Participate on an ongoing basis in a visual or performing arts program and have mastered that art or progressed in the field as a result of school-related activities,
  • Be in good academic standing,
  • Participate in other extracurricular or community activities that do not have to be arts related, and
  • Demonstrate leadership skills.

 

School personnel and community members may nominate students by completing the nomination form on the AEI web site, www.aeiarts.org.  Print copies of the nomination form are available by contacting Karas at lkaras@aeiarts.org or 304-225-0101.

 

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