TEMPLE, Texas — The Temple High School Fine Arts Department recognized six seniors during the program’s annual “Signing Day” celebration on Monday (May 16). The celebration honors students who will be going on to college to major in fine arts related fields of study.
The students honored during the ceremony represent several of the six fine arts programs sponsored by Temple High School. Terry Austin will be attending Texas A&M-Commerce, where he plans to major in music education. Michelle Boyles will attend Sam Houston State University and also plans on majoring in music education. Jesus Garcia and Conner James will both attend Temple College. Garcia intends to major in music education and James is planning to major in music. Hanna Prince will be attending Texas State University as a theatre education major. Kelsi Seiter will major in theatre design and production at Oklahoma City University. The TISD Fine Arts program began hosting a “Signing Day” celebration in 2019.
“It has been a special event for us ever since as these are students who are very active in our programs and we have been able to watch them grow and flourish as artists, musicians, actors, and/or dancers,” said Catrina Lotspeich, director of fine arts for Temple ISD. “I am very pleased to honor the six fine arts students today who are going on to pursue careers in theatre and music. We look forward to seeing them back in our fine arts programs in the future as teachers, guest speakers, or clinicians.”
Each of the students was recognized individually as staff highlighted the school they will be attending and their planned field of study. The seniors also had a chance to reflect on the opportunity the Temple High School Fine Arts programs gave them to make Monday’s celebration possible.
“To me this means everything, because it means that I’ve accomplished something in my life and I’ve made it,” Seiter said. “I’ve been stage manager at Temple High School for the past two years and done about eight shows, so I really feel like this has prepared me. I am so grateful for my four years in the program.”
“I feel that today marks a great accomplishment and I am really excited about how this can help me in the future,” said Austin. “All of my directors played such a big part in helping me get to where I am. I’m not sure I can really express how grateful I am for all they’ve done, especially this year, with me making it to All-State.”
The students were also recognized for earning a combined total of more than $116,000 in scholarships. Following the ceremony, the department also hosted a reception for the students and their families. Temple High School’s graduation ceremony will be May 28th at 10:00 a.m. at the Bell County Expo Center.