Shaker Heights Schools  
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Senior Joanna Mitchell Is Named Presidential Scholar in the Arts
Work Will Be Shown at Smithsonian in June

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Joanna D. Mitchell, a senior at Shaker Heights High School, has been named a Presidential Scholar in the Arts, one of just 20 nationwide.

Of the three million students expected to graduate from U. S. high schools this year, the U.S. Department of Education selected 139 Presidential Scholars who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, leadership, citizenship, service, and contribution to school and community. Twenty of them, recommended through the National Foundation for Advancement in the Art’s youngARTS program, were recognized specifically for their artistic excellence. In January, Joanna was named a 2008 youngARTS finalist and $5,000 Silver Award Winner in Visual Arts.  

This is only the latest in a long list of accolades Joanna has earned in academics and the arts. She has also received multiple awards in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, including the American Visions Award (Best in Show), Cleveland Institute of Art Recognition Award, Tony Eterovich Drawing Award, Sue Wall Painting Award, Art Portfolio, two Gold Keys in Drawing, two Gold Keys in Mixed Media, a Gold Key in Painting, and a Silver Key in Drawing.

Additionally, she has pursued her interest in history, politics, theatre, and music.  As a competitor in National History Day, she was a state finalist in 2006 and last year was state champion and a national finalist.  She has studied voice and violin, and has performed with Shaker’s orchestra, a cappella choir, and Chanticleers, the show choir. Last year, she had a lead role in Shaker’s production of the musical Into the Woods.

Joanna will receive a medal as a Presidential Scholar in the Arts during Presidential Scholars Week in Washington, D.C.  June 21-24, 2008.  In addition to recognition events, the Presidential Scholars in Visual Arts, Photography and Writing will be featured in an exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery on Sunday, June 22.  The Presidential Scholars in Dance, Music, Voice and Theater will perform at The Kennedy Center on Monday, June 23.

Joanna is a daughter of Tim Mitchell, a history teacher, and Susan Isler, a guidance counselor, both at Shaker Heights High School. She has received a scholarship to pursue her art studies at the Maryland Institute College of Art.

 

 

 

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