By Rebecca Miller, ’12, Contributor
Six Country Day students have been recognized at the regional level for artistic excellence. Senior Alyssa Magarian and Lilly Fleischmann, ’11, both have been named finalists in the prestigious Overture Awards Competition. In the Scholastic Arts Regional Competition, juniors Ilana Habib and Amanda Young, whose collage is depicted, earned Gold Keys, while Jessup Smith,’10, and Jonas Luebbers,’12, were awarded with Silver Keys.
The annual Overtures Competition awards scholarships to high school students and organized in six categories: Creative Writing, Dance, Instrumental Music, Musical Theatre, Visual Art and Vocal Music.
Fleischmann is a finalist in the Creative Writing category for her collection of poems. She had never submitted a writing portfolio before to Overtures, making her advancement that much more impressive. Despite her knack for poetry, Fleishmann said she does not have any firm plans for writing as a career, but “it will probably play a part in whatever [she does], and [she will] definitely do it on the side.”
After making it to the semi-finals as junior, Magarian returned to the Overtures competition determined to make it to finals, performing “I Just Want to be a Star” from Nunense by Dan Goggin. She is currently in the process of applying to conservatories, hoping to earn a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre or Drama. “I plan on moving to either Los Angeles or New York City and working as a performer or a teacher,” Magarian said.
Along with Magarian and Fleischmann, CCDS sent three other students to the competition. Allison Lazarus, ’10, and Jordi Alonso, ’10, both entered in the Creative Writing section and Ali Breneman, ’11, entered for Vocal Music.
Amanda Young won her gold Key for a collage entitled “Reflection” and Ilana Habib won hers for a photograph entitled “Juvenescence.”
Amanda has never entered before for art, and it was her first art competition. She says “art is more of a hobby. She likes “the self expression from creating an image from a blank canvas.”
Ilana took her photo last year on the photography trip to Costa Rico. The black and white image is of a boy sticking his tongue out at a cat. Habib is “thinking of pursuing a career in photojournalism.” She says she is looking for colleges that provide her with options for both photography and classical voice, another passion of hers.
The Gold Key winners now will be judged against the nation’s best high school artists in the national competition. The Overture Finalists will go up against the best in the city on February 27th at the Aronoff Center.
Collage courtesy of Amanda Young.