Every year the AAAC awards scholarships to three graduating art students at EO Smith High School – one for the performing arts, one for the visual arts and one for literary arts as well as an art scholarship to a student at Windham Technical High School. These students are chosen because they have taken two or more courses in their area; exhibited enthusiasm, interest, honesty, and integrity; and produced quality work viewed or open to the public. The recipients plan on pursuing their interest vocationally or as an avocation.
Aram Alder-Smith – Visual Arts
Aram pulls inspiration from punk, alternative culture, and socially engaged imagery, where his work displays recurring themes of equity and a striving political awareness. He will study Industrial Design, Graphic Design, or Architecture and hopes to build his artistic and topical passions into a career of impactful creative expression. He thanks the E.O. Smith art faculty for the profound impact they have had on him.
Joxel Gonzalez Garcia – Windham Tech
Joxel Gonzalez Garcia is one of those people for whom art is a constant in his life. Wherever he goes, Joxel is making art; little masterpieces on scraps of paper are left behind wherever he goes. His raw talent is extraordinary. Joxel was recognized this spring at the CT Association of School Arts Award Banquet. He plans to pursue his trade as an electrician and continue making art in his free time.
Ollie Henchir – Literary Arts
Ollie Henchir began writing poetry in seventh grade as a result of an English class assignment.For quite some time, their poetry was an art they kept to themselves, but now they share it with the world at large. Ollie has published their own poetry in various mediums, and assisted in the publication of two literary magazines, performed in Open Mics, and has perfected the art of sharing in front of people who they don’t really know!
Gracelyn Pare –
Performing Arts
Grace will attend UCONN in the fall of 2025, to major in Music (Vocal Performance) and Music Education. Gracelyn is a member of the 2025 All-National Honor Choir – a rare and special accomplishment. She has performed leading roles in productions at E.O. Smith, as well as in Concert Choir, Chamber Singers and Treble Choir and regional and state level honor choirs, all four years of high school.
