Arts at Dreher - 2023-2024

Jennifer Gorlewski's AP Art students created a compilation painting about friendship. Students from AP Art, Art 1, and Art 2 classes contributed. The triptych is installed on the first floor front hall outside of room 127. 

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The following Blue Devils have been named to the SCMEA All-State Guitar Ensemble:
(Front, l to r) Ezra Good, Beckham O'Neill, Alex Kolomoets, Wyatt Merland (top score in the state), Katie Bauer.
(Back, l to r) Samuel Schatz, Alec Hamilton, Aiden Dong, Caleb Liu, Lane Oana.

Our TEN All-State Guitar honorees, students of Guitar Teacher Ben Broughton, will perform under the direction of Dr. Isaac Greene from Bob Jones University as the headliners at SCMEA Guitarfest on Saturday May 4th at White Knoll High School.

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Art teachers Jennifer Gorlewski and Katie Pfrommer proudly announce the accomplishments of five of our young visual artists who were recognized in the Scholastic Art and Writing Award Contest (https://www.artandwriting.org/):  

Edith (Sophie) Martin, Gold Key for Ceramic & Glass, Koi Fish Sgraffito Pot

Victoria (Tori) Rasmussen, Gold Key for Painting, Juliet

Cassie Collins, Honorable Mention for Ceramic & Glass, Unity in Conflict

Quentin Hilley, Honorable Mention for Sculpture, King of the Woods

Juliet Jones, Honorable Mention for Painting, Girl with a Scarf

The two Gold Key recipients have advanced to the national level of judging in New York City. National Medalists will be announced in June. 

Six Dreher Students Accepted to ArtFields Jr.

Six Dreher students will be presenting their art at the 2024 ArtFields Jr. exhibit and competition (ArtFields Jr.) 

Showing are Tori Rasmussen, Adena Weinkle, Rylin Hubbard (across top) and Ava Rodriguez, Peyton Mooney, Sophie Martin (across bottom).

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Great Success by Theatre Students At SCITS/PDA

Great news from Kathleen Pennyway, Dreher's Theatre Director:

"Thanks to everyone who helped out with the PDA/SCITS festival this weekend. Everywhere I went, people had great praise for our students, our parents, our custodial staff, our facilities, Theatre Services, and all of the members of the Dreher family. It was a wonderful, positive, supportive experience.

Dreher Drama and Troupe 3940 also did very well in competition, with a full list of awards below."

Palmetto Dramatics Association Awards

SUPERIOR RATING for One Act: This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing 

(Highest Possible Rating)

SUPERIOR ACTING AWARD for One Act: This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing

Aza Nyberg

Raelyn O'Briant

Lynda Shavo

EXCELLENT ACTING AWARD for One Act: This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing 

Josh Graham

OUSTANDING CONTRIBUTION IN SCENIC DESIGN for One Act: This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing

Sara Brown

Larrabee Ellenberg

JOE TIMMONS TECHNICAL THEATRE SCHOLARSHIP of $1000

Larrabee Ellenberg

SC International Thespian Society Awards

(These students qualify for Nationals)

SUPERIOR IN SOLO ACTING

Ben Palmer

Lynda Shavo

Marjorie Weaver

SUPERIOR IN DUET ACTING

Lucinda Pringle and Marjorie Weaver

Josh Graham and Larrabee Ellenberg

SUPERIOR IN GROUP ACTING

Larrabee Ellenberg, Aza Nyberg, Lynda Shavo

SUPERIOR IN SOLO MUSICAL

Emmi Lee

Leila Pregnall

Lucinda Pringle

Raelyn O'Briant

SUPERIOR IN MUSICAL THEATRE DANCE

Emmi Lee

SUPERIOR IN MAKEUP DESIGN

Spire Wilson

THESPIAN SCHOLARSHIP of $500 

Aza Nyberg

Troupe 3940 was also named a Gold Honor Troupe for the 2022-2023 School Year.

Dorothy Weaver was named a State Thespian Officer. Marjorie Weaver and Lucinda Pringle were named to the State Thespian  Officer Advisory Council. 

"Whisper," Dreher's Literary and Art Magazine, Wins Top National Award

Jennifer Gorlewski, Art teacher and inspiration for Whisper, Dreher's Literary and Art Magazine, was notified that the 2023 issue of Whisper has been awarded the rank of "REALM First Class" by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).

You can read this award-winning issue - as well as other award-winning issues from past years - here

Here's the good news Ms. Gorlewski received:

It is my pleasure to inform you that your school’s literary magazine, Whisper, has been selected to receive the rank of REALM First Class in the 2023 NCTE Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines (REALM) program. From all of us at the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), congratulations to you and your students on this exceptional publication. We commend you for inspiring a love of writing that your students will remember for the rest of their lives. 

The mission of NCTE’s REALM program is to publicly recognize excellent literary magazines produced by students with the support of their teachers. REALM is designed to encourage all schools to develop literary magazines that celebrate the art and craft of writing. Your magazine is a fine example of this mission in action, and the REALM committee looks forward to seeing future publications from your school. 

Sincerely, 

Emily Kirkpatrick

NCTE Executive Director

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• Sophie Martin and Quentin Hilley, officers of the National Art Honor Society, are interviewed by Sam Perez of WLTX about our six foot trout - the art project for "Columbia Streams Art."

  See the WLTX news article here: https://www.wltx.com/.../101-134b3723-b706-4253-9741...

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• At the request of Columbia Mayor Rickenmann, Art teacher Katie Pfrommer enlisted the members of our National Art Honor Society (NAHS) to decorate a 74" trout for Columbia Streams Art. Their creation, along with others, will be auctioned to raise funds for city projects.  

  The group began by painting the trout blue - of course!  Next Ms. Pfrommer invited students throughout the school to add their names to scales which were then arranged on the trout.  NAHS members finished the trout by painting its head, tail, and fins. 

  We would love to be able to win a bid on our trout to return it to its rightful place - Dreher High School!

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Theatre teacher Kathleen Pennyway proudly reports that Leila Pregnall (left) and Kathryn Adler (right) were named All-State Thespians. They will have the chance to learn from a Broadway choreographer and perform at the State Festival in February. Congrats!

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Congratulations to the students of Hannah McKenzie who were named to the All-State Chorus (l to r):

Adelle Fuller (soprano 2; 12th grade);

Quinnie Mustian (soprano 2; 12th grade);

David Landholt (bass; 12th grade);

Hannah Barr (soprano 1; 12th grade);

Zoe Smith (alto; 11th grade).

 

Also, David Landholt is 10th highest scoring bass in SC.

From an ecstatic Choir Director, Hannah McKenzie:

"I am THRILLED to share that we had 38 students receive high enough audition scores to be selected to participate in the R1 High School District Honor Choir! Their names are listed in the graphic attached. Please help me congratulate them! I am overjoyed that we had so many students qualify, especially since it was the first in-person audition for many of them." 

The honorees are:

Adelle Fuller

Amelie Galimba

Angel Figueroa

Arilia Thompson

Ben Palmer

Bri Palmer

Bryce Peeples

Caleb Evans

Carys Santiago

David Landholt

Emma Walsh

Emmi Lee

Hannah Barr

Hannah Langley

Honyst Blake

Jahvanna McCornell

Jordan Ibekwe

Kyra Grindley

Liam Vanadore

Lucia Parker-Harley

Marjorie Weaver

Max Francis

Mia Amos

Mia Jones
Mia Rodriguez

Mi'Kiya Singleton

N'diyah Miller

Parker McLean-Hasinger

Pax Malson

Quenia Taylor

Quinnie Mustian

Sam Siceloff

Sara Brown

Sophia Francis

Tanisha Goodpaster

Thomas White

Tryston Gardner

Zoe Smith

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Selected to the All-State Orchestra are Kaden Lim (13^th chair, 1^St violin), Micah Doberne-Schor (11^th chair, 2^nd violin), Diego Thrasher (6^th chair, 2^nd violin), Sarah Bobertz (1^st alternate, cello), and Daniel Rose (3^rd chair, bass).  They will perform at River Bluff HS on 2/25/24. 

(In the photo are (back) Daniel Rose, Sarah Bobertz, Mr. Rafferty, Micah Doberne-Schor, (front) Kaden Lim, Diego Thrasher.) 

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Congratulations to the thirteen Dreher students of Hannah McKenzie who were selected to sing with the All-Region Choir:

Bri Palmer

Emma Walsh

Quinnie Mustian

Zoe Smith

Adelle Fuller

Mia Rodriguez

Tryston Gardner

Amelie Galimba

Caleb Evans

Max Francis

Thomas White

Sam Siceloff

Ben Palmer

Nine orchestra students of Director Adam Rafferty were selected for the Regional Orchestra.

Congratulations to these students in Grades 9 and 10:

Kaden Lim, 2nd Chair, 1st Violin

Micah Doberne-Schor, 10th Chair, 1st Violin

Alex Greytak, 2nd Alternate Violin

Savannah White, 11th Chair, Viola

Congratulations to these students in Grades 11 and 12:  

Daniel Rose, 2nd Chair, Bass

Rajan Bodie, 11th Chair, Viola

Diego Thrasher, 6th Chair, 1st Violin

Sarah Bobertz, 2nd Chair, Cello

Kathryn Adler, 10th Chair, Cello

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Congratulations to these musicians who earned Superior Ratings at SC Band Directors Association Solo & Ensemble Festival: Mia Amos, Hannah Barr, Liam Barr, Rajan Boddie, Spencer Bush, Merryn Courie, Ashton Cutler, Kai Hagen, Desmond Huggins, Sara Jacobs, Paul Jenkinson, Coleman Mandapally Hughes, Maria Sloop, Christopher White, Tyson White, and Ryan Wood.

Dreher High School’s wind ensemble received a “Superior with Distinction” rating during the South Carolina Band Directors Association’s concert performance assessment.

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Named to the District Honor Band are 33 Dreher musicians: Hannah Barr (flute), Ryan Wood (flute), Brandon Baker (flute), Julianne Holt (flute), Wynn Lee (oboe), Maria Sloop (clarinet), Kai Hagen (clarinet), Ashton Cutler (clarinet), Brooke Canfield (clarinet), Coleman Hughes (Contra Clarinet), Tyson White (Alto Sax), Spencer Bush (Alto Sax), Merryn Courie (Alto Sax), Desmond Huggins (Bari Sax), Eli Roth (Trumpet), Bella Lucci (Trumpet), Honyst Blake (Trumpet), Liam Barr (Horn), Mia Amos (Horn), Benjamin Russell Sloop (Horn), Luke Knoepp (Horn), Joy Palmer (Euphonium BC), Victor Paul Jenkinson (Trombone), Christopher White (Trombone), Julian Haley (Trombone), Willie Smith (Bass Trombone), Kimberly Jones (Tuba), Rajan Boddie (Tuba), Sara Jacobs (Percussion), Peyton Mooney (Percussion), Tyler Mack (Percussion), Jaden Clark (Percussion), Eli Baker (Timpani).

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Congratulations to these musicians who earned Superior Ratings at SC Band Directors Association Solo & Ensemble Festival: Mia Amos, Hannah Barr, Liam Barr, Rajan Boddie, Spencer Bush, Merryn Courie, Ashton Cutler, Kai Hagen, Desmond Huggins, Sara Jacobs, Paul Jenkinson, Coleman Mandapally Hughes, Maria Sloop, Christopher White, Tyson White, and Ryan Wood.

Dreher High School’s wind ensemble received a “Superior with Distinction” rating during the South Carolina Band Directors Association’s concert performance assessment.

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At the Richland One District Theatre Festival hosted by Dreher, the theatre students of Kathleen Pennyway led the district in Superior and Superior with Distinction scores.

The following students were recognized for their work.

Solo Musical

Raelyn O'Briant - Superior with Distinction

Emmi Lee - Superior with Distinction

Zoe Smith - Superior

Abi Tuorto - Superior

Leila Pregnall - Superior

 

Duet Musical

-/Leila Pregnall - Superior with Distinction

Lynda Shavo/Raelyn O'Briant - Superior with Distinction

 

Group Musical 

Bend and Snap - Superior with Distinction

(Emmi Lee, Raelyn O'Briant, Bri Palmer, Elizabeth Vance, Leila Pregnall, Lynda Shavo, Sara Brown, Dorothy Weaver, Marjorie Weaver, Ben Palmer, Sophie Robinson, Lacy Eaddy, Rhyan Horton, Kathryn Adler, Spire Wilson, Sophia Francis)

 

Solo Acting

Josh Graham - Superior with Distinction

Aza Nyberg - Superior with Distinction

 

Duet Acting 

Marjorie Weaver/Lucinda Pringle - Superior with Distinction

 

Group Acting

Kyra Grindley/Larrabee Ellenberg/Josh Graham - Superior with Distinction

Max McCornell/Jolie Byers/Lacy Eaddy - Superior

 

Technical Theatre

Spire Wilson - Superior with Distinction

 

Short Film 

Rowan Ibrihim/Alicia Housseau - Superior with Distinction

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Click here for a Profile of Emmi.

Congratulations to multi-talented senior Emmi Lee. She will be participating in the Broadway Dreams 2023 Showcase in New York City on November 20. 

Emmi was selected after an intense audition in Charlotte in front of music  faculty and directors, earning her a place among the top 5% of Broadway Dreams’ participants from around the world. 

 

From BROADWAY DREAMS SHOWCASE - WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?

At the Showcase, rising stars from all around the world will share their talent on stage alongside an expansive network of Broadway’s best. We will recreate some of the best numbers from the Summer season, and present exciting new material for this special night. 

The rehearsal process may also feature masterclass opportunities with surprise guests, ensuring that this will indeed be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for all involved.

While it is by no means guaranteed, the Showcase can lead to representation and professional opportunities for our students. For example, our very own Ryann Redmond was cast in the Broadway company of Bring It On after she was discovered at this very event! Last year's showcase led to Charlotte dreamer, Justin Rivers, being cast in the new musical Transparent, where a new role was written for Justin. 

Past audiences have included agents, casting directors, producers, choreographers, and directors who were present to champion and observe our students, helping to make their dreams come true.

Watch the interview with Emmi and her parents, Kathleen and Chris Lee, at https://www.wistv.com/2023/10/26/midlands-teen-takes-one-step-closer-broadway-dream/

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Three students of Dr. Chris Lee selected to participate in RCSD1 Jazz Clinic and Festival on April 11-April 12 at Hand. They are Daniel Rose (1st chair, bass), Stephen Austin (2nd chair, drums), and Sarah Jacobs, (1st chair, vibes). 

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