Since 1986, the Marblehead Festival of Arts has awarded a scholarship to a high school senior who resides in or attends school in Marblehead, and who is pursuing higher education in visual arts, performing arts, crafts, music, drama or writing. In awarding the $3,000 scholarship, the Festival’s objective is to encourage graduates interested in pursuing the arts professionally to acquire a sound academic grounding in their chosen fields. The criteria considered by the Art Festival’s Scholarship Committee include financial need, academic and art achievements, art-related and other activities, both in and out of school, and any honors or special citations received.

Committee: Maggie Smist and Tammy Nohelty (Co-chairs), Annette Nicolas and Jennifer DeAngelo

The Scholarship Committee is pleased to award the 23rd annual Marblehead Festival of Arts Scholarship to Ariel McKenney. Ariel will be attending the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, where her intended major will be Music Education.

Ariel has excelled in both her academic and musical pursuits while attending Marblehead High School. She has been a member of the following musical organizations during her time at MHS: Senior District Festival Choir, Chamber choir, the Jewel Tones, Luminescence, and the UMass Honor Choir. Ariel was also elected to and served as President of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. During her three years with the organization, she participated in many hours of music oriented community service.

Ariel’s theater credits include the North Shore Music Theater Best Ensemble Award, a lead role in the high school production of Cabaret and assistant director for the Theater of Light. In addition to all of her musical accomplishments, Ariel has been an honor student taking Honors and AP level courses throughout her high school career. > Ariel’s teachers and counselors note that she is a gifted singer and independent spirit whose contributions to the high school and community through her singing and acting cannot be understated. The Festival is proud to have Ariel as a member of the family, and we wish her success in all of her pursuits!