Sewickley Academy students, junior soprano Avani Venkat and sophomore tenor Max Peluso, won finalists awards Feb. 12 in the annual international Butler University Vocal Competition for classically trained high schoolers in Indianapolis. Both traveled to the competition and performed live before judges and an audience, advancing to the finals round after performing two pieces in the semifinal round in the morning. They participated in classes and symposia then performed one piece in the finals round in the afternoon. Venkat sang Victor Herbert’s comic and virtuosic aria “Art Is Calling Me” from the operetta “The Enchantress” and received a finalist cash prize. Peluso sang “Younger Than Springtime” from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical “South Pacific” and received the Encouragement Award given each year to the most promising ninth/10th-grade finalist. Both are students of Sewickley’s mezzo-soprano Molly Meehan Stater.
Jared Pfister, a business administration major, was named to the President’s List at Youngstown State University for achieving a perfect 4.0 GPA in the fall 2021 semester. Michael Foster, an integrated social studies education major, was named to the Dean’s List for the same semester.
Abigail Adamiak, a music education major, was named to the President’s List at West Virginia University for the fall 2021 semester.
