Arts Programs Celebrate New and Returning Students
By GARY STALLARD
AC News Service
Angelina College’s School of Visual and Performing Arts honored both incoming and returning students in a scholarship ceremony held Thursday inside the Angelina Center for the Arts building on the AC campus.
Twenty students were on-hand for the ceremony, with this particular group signing to participate in Choir, Visual Arts and Graphic Arts.
Because the programs have experienced such growth in recent years, the School will host another ceremony in August.
VPA Chair Beckie Compton addressed the
“Today is all about our students who have worked so hard in both academics and in their particular skills as artists,” Compton said. “This is a fun event, but we’re really just so excited to see you getting started in the fall.
“We also want to thank all the families and support systems for their encouragement, and we can’t wait to work together in the coming school year.”
AC president Dr. Michael Simon mentioned the institution’s overall mission of “helping students, individuals and the community reach their full potential.”
“One of the things I think is critical for any community to thrive is having a thriving arts community within it,” Simon said. “Not only is it our goal to help you develop your artistic expression in whatever form that takes, but also for you to think about how you can take those talents back to your community once you leave here.”
Following is the list of signees, with home towns and chosen disciplines listed as well:
Tatum Smith (Nacogdoches), Theater; Julian Chavez (Lufkin), Theater; Sam McMullen (Kennard), Theater; Naomi Hawkins (Lufkin), Choir; Rachel Couch (Zavalla), Visual Arts; Brynn Jones (Lufkin), Visual Arts; Morgan Peterson (Lufkin), Visual Arts; Amy Masi (Lufkin), Visual Arts; Alexia Roman (Lufkin), Graphic Arts; Yolanda Crain (Zavalla), Graphic and Visual Arts; Amber Kennerly (Woodville), Graphic and Visual Arts; Kelrick Thomas (Lufkin), Graphic and Visual Arts; Matthew Rivere (Lufkin), Graphic and Visual Arts; Dedric Smiley (Lufkin), Graphic and Visual Arts; Isaac Flores-Gonzalez (Lufkin), Graphic and Visual Arts; Noemi Muniz Ramirez (Lufkin), Graphic and Visual Arts; Kattie Randles (Lufkin), Graphic Arts; Emily Miller (Lufkin), Graphic Arts; Allie Armstrong (Lufkin), Graphic Arts; and Bethany Reeves (Lufkin), Graphic Arts.
To view the upcoming 2025-2026 schedule of Visual and Performing Arts events, visit the AC website at https://www.angelina.edu/vpa-calendar/
For further information on VPA programs and scholarship possibilities, contact Beckie Compton at bcompton@angelina.edu.
Photo caption:
Angelina College Visual and Performing Arts students pose with staff and faculty members following Thursday’s scholarship signing ceremony held inside Temple Theater. A total of 20 new and returning students signed scholarships in one of the four Arts disciplines offered at AC. (Gary Stallard photo for AC News Service)