Spotlight: Spring/Summer 2024-25

Celebrating Visual Arts

The school-wide, fourth-annual Gallery Night was held on April 25. The visual arts celebration featured artwork from students in prekindergarten through 12th grade, various hands-on workshops, and food trucks.

Van de Sype Cucu Named Finalist

Vivian Van de Sype Cucu ’25 was one of four finalists in the state-wide Bolz Young Artist Competition, and performed in a free concert broadcast live on PBS Wisconsin in March. She is attending the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University this fall.

Teachers Elected to WAEA

Art teachers (from left) Izzi Buikus, Mandy Culver, and Andrea Worthey were elected to serve on the Wisconsin Art Education Association (WAEA) board of directors at various levels. They will serve as links between art educators and students, and the WAEA.

New Youth Poet Laureate Named 

Angela Wang ’26 is Milwaukee’s third Youth Poet Laureate—the second from USM. High school juniors from Milwaukee County applied, and three finalists competed at a juried competition in May at the Milwaukee Public Library’s Central Branch.

Heffernan Earns Civic Music Award

Autumn Heffernan ’25 was awarded the Civic Music Milwaukee High School Award by the Civic Music Association of Milwaukee. Heffernan, who plays the flute, was nominated by Stephanie Hancock, director of bands at USM.

Scholastic Art and Writing Winners 

A total of 64 Upper School students and one Middle School student won 162 awards from the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition. The awards included 13 Gold Keys and 23 Silver Keys in art; 34 Gold Keys and 35 Silver Keys in writing; and many honorable mentions.