Newtown High School Students Receive CAS Arts Award

Two students from Newtown High School have received Arts Awards from the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS), Interim Principal Patricia Llodra announced. Approximately 1,200 parents and educators were in attendance at this premier affair.

Alicia Rogers, daughter of Mr and Mrs Robert Rogers, and Heather Tracey, daughter of Mr and Mrs Steven Tracey, were designated by the school to receive this honor, which was given at a statewide awards banquet held recently at the Aqua Turf Banquet, Southington.

The CAS Arts Awards Program, inaugurated in 1995, recognizes annually two seniors for outstanding ability in the performing or visual arts. Two hundred thirty-six students from 85 high schools received awards this year.

Sarah Mather, 2005 American Idol finalist, was the featured speaker at this year’s Arts Awards Banquet. Best known this year for being one of the top 12 female finalists on American Idol 2005, Ms Mather was selected over hundreds of thousands of people who auditioned around the country.

Ms Mather appeared in several TV commercials and independent films while still finding time to travel for a local modeling agency as a runway model. She continues to study her craft by keeping a vocal coach and acting and dancing teachers, as well as media and musical directions coaches.

In addressing the awardees, Ms Mather said, “You, tonight’s award recipients, will soon be in charge. Artists can change the world in profound and deep ways by creating works which push an art beyond its existing boundaries.” She went on to remind the students, “We are a part of something much larger than any one of us. Whether you are an award recipient from Bridgeport or Bridgewater, Weston or West Hartford, Litchfield of Ledyard, you are a part of that continuum.”

Ms Mather closed her remarks by saying, “You have a responsibility to make sure that your contemporaries and all who follow you understand the value and the importance of the arts. For the privilege of being involved with the arts, you must now work to make sure that the arts flourish.”

The Arts Banquet is sponsored annually by the Connecticut Association of Schools and the Westfield Corporation, represented in Connecticut by Westfield Shoppingtowns Connecticut Post, Trumbull, Meriden, and Enfield.