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By SPARC
The South Pasadena Arts Council SPARC Scholarship Program, launched in 2020, awarded South Pasadena High School graduates Madeleine Yoo, Sophia Hao, Kiera Atkinson, and Audrey Lin SPARC Scholarships in the amount of $1000 on June 8, 2021 at the Fremont Centre Theatre in South Pasadena.
“SPARC is very proud to be able to present scholarships to these deserving students” said SPARC President Sandy Kitto, “thanks to our generous SPARC supporters who helped to make it possible.”
The recipients, chosen through an application process and teacher recommendations:
For Excellence in Fine Arts and for Supporting the Arts in Our Community: Visual Artist Madeleine Yoo
Madeleine has described her artwork as deeply personal explorations of childhood innocence, wonder, perspectives, and experiences. As she moves on to college, Madeleine is interested in combining her love for art and math to design products that help people in their daily lives, while addressing societal issues with creativity and logic. “Art will always will be an important part of my life,” she says, “and it will continuously shape the way I perceive the world around me.”
For Excellence in Fine Arts and for Supporting the Arts in Our Community: Visual Artist Sophia Hao
As a “visual communicator,” Sophia, who will pursue communication design at Carnegie Mellon University in the College of Fine Arts, has portrayed such problems as anxiety and depression in teenagers, homelessness, and sexism in her work. “I realize that although I can’t change the world,” Sophia says, “I can make a positive impact on others by using my art to support them.”
For Excellence in Music Arts and for Supporting the Arts in Our Community: Pianist Audrey Lin.
Currently planning to pursue a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music and to teach one day, this gifted pianist has earned notable recognition for her outstanding musicianship in numerous local, national and international competitions. “Classical music has always been and will always be a core part of my identity,” she says.
The Fremont Centre Theatre Scholarship For Excellence in Theatre Arts and for Supporting the Arts in our Community: Lighting designer Kiera Atkinson.
During her years at South Pasadena High School, Kiera’s strikingly expressive work enhanced theater and dance performances as varied as “Legally Blonde,” “Metamorphoses,” “The Addams Family,” and “The Laramie Project.” (The context for any lighting design is vital, Keira says.) She will attend a liberal arts college to pursue her interest in lighting, set, and costume design.
“We are thrilled,” said SPARC Founder Lissa Reynolds, “to give SPARC’s Arts Scholarships this year to four students who have shown so much creativity and commitment in their individual fields, and who plan to continue cultivating their artistic talents.”
