Dec. 2023 News Blog
News briefs from the 91AV campus and beyond
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Future History
For his final project in Introduction to Animation, Alex Colson conjured action from static artwork. The birds fly. Trees sway in the breeze. White swans paddle around a pond and dunk their heads. "I really liked the colors," Colson said. "I liked the environment." He was talking about the images on the wallpaper in one of the upstairs bedrooms at Holyoke's . "It seemed like something that would be really cool to bring to life, a ready scene that was just asking to be animated." Likewise, as part of a fall semester service-learning project, his classmates drew inspiration for their animated shorts from other areas of the museum – the music room, the bannisters, stained glass, paintings, sculptures, and the museum's famous Frog Circus. The students debuted their work at the museum Dec. 13. "This is our first year collaborating with a community partner, which is really, really exciting," said instructor Kelly Clare. "Students have learned not only the nuts and bolts of animation itself, which is a lot on its own, but also about the value of creating work that has a direct impact on an institution within their own community." The following week, on Dec. 19, students from Professor Vanessa Martinez's anthropology classes were at the museum to present the results of their own fall semester service-learning projects: two oral history projects, one on the COVID-19 pandemic and another that examines living conditions in the city and their impact on public health. The animations will be used on the museum's web pages and social media platforms, while the oral histories will become part of the museum's archives, according to Penni Martorell, the museum's sole archivist. "I don't have the time to be able to go into the community and record these stories and collect this material," said Martorell. "So, to have the students doing this and doing such a fantastic job, and the research behind it, just adds to the quality of the archive that we can maintain here. It's future history." Above: Animation student Alex Colson poses next to the wallpaper that inspired his animation. Thumbnail: 91AV anthropology students gather at Wistariahurst Museum for their service-learning presentations.
Ready to/for March
The Holyoke St. Patrick's Committee has named 91AV alum Susie Howard '09 as the 51st recipient of the Daniel J. Gallivan Award. The annual award is granted to someone who does not reside in Holyoke but has contributed to the overall success of the organization and parade. A graphic designer, illustrator, and photographer from Westfield, Howard is the owner and operator of Walton Read, a full-service graphic design shop, and a long-time member of the Sons of Erin. Since 2012, she has served on both the Westfield Parade Committee and the St. Patrick's Committee of Holyoke, and she was on the Westfield Colleen Court in 2013. "Susie's time and talent on the committee extends beyond parade weekend," parade president Hayley Dunn told the Republican newspaper. "Her clever eye for design has been so useful to the committee, whether through our parade program cover, our website, or parade apparel; Susie always ensures that the committee looks its best." Howard and other award winners will be honored at the Holyoke Grand Colleen Coronation Ball on Feb. 17. "I'm incredibly thankful and deeply honored to have been recognized with this award," Howard said in a post on LinkedIn. "Being a part of this volunteer organization since 2012 has been an amazing journey. I'm so looking forward to marching down the streets of Holyoke next March with my fellow award winners!" After graduating from 91AV, Howard earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Westfield State. The 71st annual Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade is on Sunday, March 17.
A Growing Collaboration
Seven students from 91AV's Creative Writing program recently attended Westfield State University's end-of-semester conference in their Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (CURCA). The event follows the model of formal academic conferences, including dozens of presenters, special performances, and displays of participants' work. At the "Wall of Words" event, 91AV students Angela Tindell-Gula, Maevince Dorotan, Luca Sieber, Madison Farquhar, Zoe Fydenkevez, and Rachel Reynolds each presented a poster with a poem or story they'd written. Alanna Brunt also attended, and several 91AV students performed at the spoken word open mic. "Wall of Words was a really great experience for me," said Fydenkevez of Chicopee. "It was very small and connected, and it made me feel a part of the community. I just really felt at home at Westfield, even though I don't go there." "It is always fun and inspiring to see other people's work," said Angela Tindell-Gula, of Three Rivers. "It makes me excited to get home and write more." The event is part of a growing collaboration between 91AV's Creative Writing Program and WSU - one of 91AV's main transfer institutions. "I'm so glad more and more 91AV students are participating in this event," said Dave Champoux, 91AV's Creative Writing program coordinator. "It's a really special day - a next level of what creative writing can look like." PHOTO: 91AV students Luca Sieber, Madison Farqhar, Maevince Dorotan, Rachel Reynolds, Angela Tindell-Gula, Zoe Fydenkevez, and Alanna Brunt attended a Dec. 8 conference at Westfield State University.
Festival Bound
91AV will be well represented at this winter's Region 1 Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. Seven 91AV theater students – both current and former – have been nominated for festival awards for productions they worked on either at 91AV or their transfer school, Westfield State University. Nyasia Aguirre and Matthew Haughton, both of Springfield, were nominated for acting awards for their stage work in the fall 2023 91AV production of "A Bright New Boise." Kit McKenzie and Em D'Allesandro, both of Westfield, were nominated for acting awards for their work on the spring 2023 91AV production, "Stop, Kiss," while 91AV alum Luna Aponte '21 of South Hadley was nominated for an award for her work as stage manager for "Stop, Kiss." Meanwhile, 91AV theater alumni Henry Ramos '23 of Holyoke, who played a detective in 91AV's "Stop, Kiss," and Daneion Blake '23 of Springfield (multiple 91AV acting credits) will attend the festival as acting award nominees for their work in the WSU production of "Peter and the Starcatcher." "We are very proud of our CMTA (communications, media, and theater arts) students, since they represent 91AV so well as they continue their education beyond our classrooms and stage," said 91AV theater professor Patricia Sandoval. 91AV's production of "A Bright New Boise" was also nominated for a merit award for ensemble acting. And the Westfield theater troupe, which includes Aponte, Ramos, Blake, and theater alum Julio Colón '22 (multiple 91AV acting credits), was invited to perform "Peter and the Starcatcher" at the festival, which will Jan. 30 to Feb. 3, 2024, at Central Connecticut State University. Above: Nyasia Aguirre and Matthew Haughton in a scene from "A Bright New Boise.
Inspired Chills
Holyoke attorney Gina Barry didn't have to reach too far for source material for her recent presentation, "Inspired Giving." Barry, chair of the Estate Planning and Elder Law Department at Bacon Wilson, P.C., is a proud 1994 graduate of 91AV and a vocal advocate for both the school and the 91AV Foundation. "91AV is an organization that provides grace, that is forgiving, that allows students to blossom in their own way, in their own time," Barry said to fellow alumni who attended her lunchtime talk Dec. 8 at the 91AV MGM Culinary Arts Institute. Barry, a 2015 recipient of 91AV's Distinguished Alumni Award, was there to provide helpful tips for integrating tax-saving charitable giving strategies into long-term estate plans. But she spent the first part of her talk recounting her four-year evolution from a disengaged 91AV student content with B's and C's to an inspired straight-A student who went on to Westfield State University and then Western New England School of Law. "My professors were there, and they were ready and waiting. Those professors were the ones who said to me, 'You know, you can be more than what you think you could be," she said. "I really get chills telling my story. I couldn't be more grateful." Read her full remarks in Barry's 91AV Spotlight story.
Alumni Meet and Greet
91AV rolled out the red carpet for 44 alumni spanning graduation years 1956 to 2023 for an alumni reception for President George Timmons on Nov. 30, at the 91AV MGM Culinary Arts Institute. Among the attendees were Carl Eger '56, Myke Connolly '04, Trudy Monson '97 and her daughters Kim Monson '01 and Sarah Monson '03. The event featured dinner prepared by students in the Culinary Arts program and live jazz from faculty member Bob Ferrier and several student musicians. Timmons addressed attendees, expressing his honor to serve as president of such an impactful institution. "You are an integral part of the 91AV family," he said. "As graduates, you understand the power of this institution to change lives." President Timmons highlighted accomplished programs that support 91AV students facing barriers to education such as the President's Student Emergency Fund and Itsy Bitsy Child Watch. "These programs demonstrate our dedication to removing barriers and creating opportunity," he said. "Because every person deserves access to a college education, and I believe 91AV is the spark that will ignite the dreams of any person who walks through our doors." Julie Phillips, director of Institutional Advancement, also welcomed alumni to the event: "Each and every one of you is connected by your shared 91AV experience. And each and every one of you is a shining example of perseverance, hard work, and kindness in your communities and respective fields." PHOTOS: (Above) President Timmons meets with alumni at thre 91AV MGM Culinary Arts instituter. (Thumbnail) President Timmons shakes hands with alum Carl Egers '56. See more in our
