The University of Arizona College of Fine Arts
Graduation Convocation
Fall 2021
Andrea Damiani Negrón
School of Dance & College of Fine Arts
“During her time here at school, Andrea studied as a dual-degree student, obtaining her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration while achieving Dean’s List with a GPA of 3.86. Andrea is an exceptionally talented individual and was awarded as the Business Communications Case Competition Winner and Management Information Systems Case Competition Winner through the Eller College of Business Management.
“In addition to her business accomplishments, Andrea was chosen for the Maria C. Mandel Scholarship for her Excellence in Ballet. Andrea is an extremely hard-working and ambitious technician and an asset in and out of the classroom. As a dance major, Andrea carries herself in a professional manner and approaches her studies with an eagerness and passion to learn.
She has had the opportunity to perform in numerous masterworks with world-renowned choreographers, most notably George Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments and Concerto Barocco, Nacho Duato’s Na Floresta, and Darrell Grand Moultrie’s Boiling Point.”
Andrea’s Full Nomination Letter
To The College of Fine Arts,
It is my absolute pleasure to nominate Andrea Damiani-Negrón as the Outstanding Senior representing the School of Dance at the University of Arizona.
During her time here at school, Andrea studied as a dual-degree student, obtaining her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration while achieving Dean’s List with a GPA of 3.86. Andrea is an exceptionally talented individual and was awarded as the Business Communications Case Competition Winner and Management Information Systems Case Competition Winner through the Eller College of Business Management. In addition to her business accomplishments, Andrea was chosen for the Maria C. Mandel Scholarship for her Excellence in Ballet.
Andrea is an extremely hard-working and ambitious technician and an asset in and out of the classroom. As a dance major, Andrea carries herself in a professional manner and approaches her studies with an eagerness and passion to learn. She has had the opportunity to perform in numerous masterworks with world-renowned choreographers, most notably George Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments and Concerto Barocco, Nacho Duato’s Na Floresta, and Darrell Grand Moultrie’s Boiling Point.
Over this past summer, Andrea began studying ballroom dancing – a style of dance that has always interested her and has allowed her to connect to her Hispanic heritage. She learned the Bachata, Salsa, Merengue, East Coast Swing, Rumba, and Samba from leading professionals in the field. As part of her BFA Senior Capstone, Andrea has incorporated her experiences in ballroom to create an all-encompassing project, combining her time spent at the School of Dance with her newest passion.
As an Eller College of Business Management major, Andrea continually demonstrates leadership skills in her everyday life. During her preceptorship for the Business Communications program, Andrea worked to improve the overall course structure of the class for prospective students. It was her responsibility to interview and coach over 30 students on public speaking and help them to develop thorough business analyses and presentations for the course. She mentored these students which resulted in her team winning their case competition.
Along with her undeniable dedication and leadership qualities, Andrea is an active participant in the Tucson community. As a member of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women, Andrea has participated in numerous fundraising events to raise money for philanthropic organizations. She has gathered materials for the annual Tucson Festival of Books, ideated the digital voting process at Battle of the Bands for the Dusk Music Festival, and volunteered her time for the Eller Make a Difference Day.
I am extremely lucky to have known Andrea during her four years at the University of Arizona and am excited to see what her future holds. I proudly nominate Andrea Damiani Negrón as the Outstanding Senior for the School of Dance.
Sincerely,
Hayley Meier
School of Dance
Assistant Professor of Practice and Undergraduate Advisor
Sophie Baygents
School of Art
“Sophie’s engagement to her studies would be impressive at any time, but during this pandemic Sophie was a beacon of light always shining with enthusiasm and interest. She was able to foster community and show leadership despite many obstacles of the Live Online format of her design classes. She started conversations and gave feedback to peers during a time that was isolating for many students. Her leadership skills show a maturity and sensitivity to creating a space where all are respected while challenging her peers to excel and meet deadlines.
“Sophie is also engaged in her community. Her internships have included a Studio Assistant position at Ben’s Bells where she helped with volunteer recruitment as well as instructional assistance in glazing and the creation of ceramic bells that are a symbol of kindness in support of Ben’s Bells’ mission of teaching the positive impact of intentional kindness.
“She was also a Design Intern at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health where she collaborated with health officials and researchers to create info-graphics that helped translate Covid 19 information into simple instructional visual communication materials for the UA student, faculty, & community, to reference for health tips & guidance during the summer of 2020. Sophie’s leadership and commitment to her community will no doubt contribute to many future successes for both herself and all the people that she generously supports.”
Sophie’s Full Nomination Letter
Dean Andrew Schulz:
I am writing this letter of nomination for Sophie Baygents in consideration of the College of Fine Arts Outstanding Senior Award.
Sophie is a senior in the Illustration and Design Program at the School of Art. Her focus and engagement to her studies would be impressive at any time, but during this pandemic Sophie was a beacon of light always shining with enthusiasm and interest. She was able to foster community and show leadership despite many obstacles of the Live Online format of her design classes. She started conversations on class discussion boards and gave feedback to peers during a time that was isolating for many students.
I now have the pleasure of working with Sophie in her last semester in person. She has taken on the design lead in a group project designing an app to help people learn about diabetes in our Clients in the Community class. Her leadership skills show a maturity and sensitivity to creating a space where all are respected while challenging her peers to excel and meet deadlines.
Sophie is also engaged in her community. Her internships have included a Studio Assistant position at Ben’s Bells where she helped with volunteer recruitment as well as instructional assistance in glazing and the creation of ceramic bells bells that are a symbol of kindness in support of Ben’s Bells’ mission of teaching the positive impact of intentional kindness. She was also a Design Intern at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health where she collaborated with health officials and researchers to create info-graphics that helped translate Covid 19 information into simple instructional visual communication materials for the UA student, faculty, & community, to reference for health tips & guidance during the summer of 2020.
I recommend Sophie Baygents to you highly and without reservation. Sophie’s leadership and commitment to her community will no doubt contribute to many future successes for both herself and all the people that she generously supports.
Sincerely,
Kelly Leslie
School of Art
Associate Professor and Chair of Illustration and Design
Diego Abeytia
Fred Fox School of Music
“Diego has excelled in the categories of scholarship, leadership, and citizenship during his time at the University of Arizona. He is motivated, positive, and a pleasure to work with. Diego is respected by his teachers and peers and poised to go on to an outstanding career as a music educator.
“Diego is in his final semester of the Bachelor of Music Education degree, currently participating in off-campus student teaching at Alice Vail Middle School. While Diego has followed the music education path passionately from the beginning, he has also participated above and beyond to become the best horn player possible. In essence, he has pursued a double degree path of horn performance and music education, by giving additional recitals, participating in chamber groups, and taking classes that were beyond the expectations of his degree program.
“In 2020, he advanced to finals at the FFSOM concerto competition, was named a Medici Scholar, and won the first prize at the Charleston International Music Festival with his ensemble the Vulpes Wind Quintet. Diego has grown into one of the strongest seniors in the program, capable of pursuing a graduate-level horn performance path. In addition to Diego’s excellent scholarship record, he has served in a significant leadership role at the University of Arizona.
“He was selected as a drum major of the Pride of Arizona Marching Band for two years, a highly competitive position and one that is extremely respected. In this role, he not only conducted the ensemble of 250 musicians, but also served as a regular point of contact between students, faculty, and the Tucson band community. Through that experience and so many others, Diego has given time and empathy to his peers and community. Diego lives his life with a mentality of service to others. He is kind and supportive of his colleagues, he is generous with his time, and he cares deeply about his community.
“Diego truly embodies excellence in scholarship, leadership, and citizenship. His record of distinction will continue as he moves into the world as a music educator and alum of the Fred Fox School of Music.”
Diego’s Full Nomination Letter
Dear FFSOM Scholarship Committee Members:
Please accept my enthusiastic recommendation of Diego Abeytia for the Fall 2021 Outstanding Senior Award. Diego has excelled in the categories of scholarship, leadership, and citizenship during his time at the University of Arizona. He is motivated, positive, and a pleasure to work with. Diego is respected by his teachers and peers and poised to go on to an outstanding career as a music educator.
Diego is in his final semester of the Bachelor of Music Education degree, currently participating in off- campus student teaching at Alice Vail Middle School. While Diego has followed the music education path passionately from the beginning, he has also participated above and beyond to become the best horn player possible. In essence, he has pursued a double degree path of horn performance and music education, by giving additional recitals, participating in chamber groups, and taking classes that were beyond the expectations of his degree program. In 2020, he advanced to finals at the FFSOM concerto competition, was named a Medici Scholar, and won the first prize at the Charleston International Music Festival with his ensemble the Vulpes Wind Quintet. Diego has grown into one of the strongest seniors in the program, capable of pursuing a graduate-level horn performance path.
Diego’s placement at Alice Vail Middle School reflects his integrity and standing among faculty. Professor Chad Shoopman advocated on Diego’s behalf to place him at Alice Vail with band director Diana West, who has built one of best middle school programs in southern Arizona over the past 25 years, consistently placing at the Heritage Festival in California and receiving “superior” ratings at ABODA competitions.
In addition to Diego’s excellent scholarship record, he has served in a significant leadership role at the University of Arizona. He was selected as a drum major of the Pride of Arizona Marching Band for two years, a highly competitive position and one that is extremely respected. In this role, he not only conducted the ensemble of 250 musicians, but also served as a regular point of contact between students, faculty, and the Tucson band community.
Diego expressly stepped up into a leadership role the summer of 2020 with the unrest that followed the murder of George Floyd. Current and former members of the Pride called for a statement in support of Black Lives Matter from the band. The resulting message did not satisfy stakeholders and intensity built over hours and days in the form of messages from alumni, current students, and community members. Diego met with many Pride members for discussion, having uncomfortable conversations. He worked with the other drum majors to put out a joint student-leadership statement. This was leadership in action: listening, representing others, and bringing people together, despite the difficult subject and varying perspectives. He realized how important his position was, how much impact the organization had on the community, and the ways that even a small organization could discover blind spots.
Through that experience and so many others, Diego has given time and empathy to his peers and community. Diego lives his life with a mentality of service to others. He is kind and supportive of his colleagues, he is generous with his time, and he cares deeply about his community. He has shared his musical skills in many volunteer capacities: providing sectionals for the University of Arizona Symphonic (Campus) Band, performing at local school programs and nursing homes, and assisting with the Wildcat Horn Choir (WHC) for three seasons. The WHC is an outreach program that includes instruction on fundamentals, music theory and ear training, and horn choir performance for high school students. Diego volunteered each year to help present segments on warmup, flexibility, and conduct the group in performance.
Beyond the field of music, Diego volunteered eight times for the University of Arizona COVID-19 Vaccination effort this year. The experience left an impression on him: getting to talk to people while they were waiting, it was one of the first times that he felt like the whole city was working together. This was empowering; he realized that if he could be a cog in the wheel here in the “big city”, he could play an even more meaningful role in a smaller community. Diego plans to move to Flagstaff after graduation. He lived there this summer and started going to the farmer’s market. He and his partner cooked and shared food with neighbors. Seeing so many needs that were revealed during the pandemic has inspired him to support food insecurity and sustainability efforts in his future volunteerism.
Thank you for considering Diego Abeytia for the Fall 2021 Outstanding Senior Award. Diego truly embodies excellence in scholarship, leadership, and citizenship. His record of distinction will continue as he moves into the world as a music educator and alum of the Fred Fox School of Music.
Sincerely,
Johanna Lundy
Reagan Kennedy
School of Theatre, Film & Television
“Reagan has exhibited enthusiasm and commitment to her craft as well as exploring interests outside her major to continue to enhance her scholarship and character. In the time that I have had Reagan as a student, she is always early to class and prepared to work. She takes corrections well and is always ready to take on the challenge of a new step, objective, tactic or combination. I can always count on Reagan to give me 100% in classes. I find her very respectful to me and easy to work with, for she wants to improve and be the very best that she can. It is obvious she has a passion for all things Musical Theater.
“In addition, she has excelled academically. Reagan is inquisitive and seems to have an appetite for learning. She is enthusiastic in all that she does and is eager to learn new things. She is also a leader within her Senior class. They look to her steady demeanor and strong work ethic. Reagan is at the top of her class academically. She holds a 3.90GPA and has been on the Dean’s list her entire time here at UArizona. Reagan has also been active on campus in her sorority, Delta Gamma.
“She has participated in various philanthropic events as well as volunteering at the Tucson School for the Deaf and Blind, Paws for a Cause and Casa de Los Ninos. Most important, perhaps, Reagan is a delightful young woman. She is self-assured and confident, but not self-centered. She has a positive attitude, and her enthusiasm for all that she does is contagious.”
Reagan’s Full Nomination Letter
To the Members of the Scholarships and Awards Committee:
As a representative of the BFA Acting/Musical Theatre Division, it is with pleasure that I recommend Reagan Kennedy for the Outstanding Senior Award. I have known Reagan since August 2018, during which time she has been a member of many of my classes including: Encore—the Freshman Showcase, Musical Theatre Movement Styles I and II, Advanced Musical Theatre Tap, Musical Theatre Choreography and Musical Theatre Performance classes. She has exhibited enthusiasm and commitment to her craft as well as exploring interests outside her major to continue to enhance her scholarship and character.
In the time that I have had Reagan as a student, she is always early to class and prepared to work. She takes corrections well and is always ready to take on the challenge of a new step, objective, tactic or combination. I can always count on Reagan to give me 100% in classes. I find her very respectful to me and easy to work with, for she wants to improve and be the very best that she can. It is obvious she has a passion for all things Musical Theater. In addition, she has excelled academically. Reagan is inquisitive and seems to have an appetite for learning. She is enthusiastic in all that she does and is eager to learn new things. She is also a leader within her Senior class. They look to her steady demeanor and strong work ethic. Reagan is at the top of her class academically. She holds a 3.90 GPA and has been on the Dean’s list her entire time here at UArizona.
Reagan has also been a strong presence on the Arizona Repertory Theatre stage. As a Sophomore, she was in our production of Pippin which I directed and choreographed. She was a strong Ensemble member as well as a featured dancer in the Manson Trio. She understudied the role of the Leading Player and did a beautiful job learning the role with great attention to detail as well as bringing her own character to the role. In rehearsals, her discipline and work ethic are very professional and she is always attentive and focused. Many commented on her stage presence during the run of the show. She has a magnetism that draws many to her. Reagan was also in our production of The Wolves in the Spring of 2020 in the role of #7. The play takes place on a soccer field and they had to run many drills and exercises. Throughout the entire rehearsal process, Reagan could be found in the hallways perfecting her soccer dribbling and kicking skills so that she would be an effective and realistic character. In her Junior year, she was a featured soloist in Still Standing as well as playing the role of Trish in the student film, One Way Mirror which will premiere at the Nashville film festival this coming spring. She is currently in rehearsals for Arizona Repertory Theatre’s production of Into the Woods in the role of the Witch. She’s already doing excellent work in rehearsal and I’m excited to see the journey her character will take before we open next month.
Reagan has also been active on campus in her sorority, Delta Gamma. She has participated in various philanthropic events as well as volunteering at the Tucson School for the Deaf and Blind, Paws for a Cause and Casa de Los Ninos. She has been active in several clubs on campus as well—Hall Council (Director of Programming and Sustainability), Residence Hall Association, Theatre Artists and Performers and the Diversity Club. She has volunteered her time as one of my assistants for dance auditions for the BFA program as well as participating in virtual recruiting events. This past summer, she started working at Flora’s Market as a server and bartender and will continue working there this Fall in addition to her rehearsals and schoolwork. She is also the social media and Tik Tok Brand Manager for a summer theatre (Southeastern Summer Theatre Institute).
Most important, perhaps, Reagan is a delightful young woman. She is self-assured and confident, but not self-centered. She has a positive attitude, and her enthusiasm for all that she does is contagious! With her dedication, talent, wonderful personality and passion for her craft, I highly recommend Reagan Kennedy for the Outstanding Senior Award for the College of Fine Arts.
Sincerely,
Christie Kerr
Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre