A Celebration and a Call-to-Action – Two FHHS Students Accepted into the Last Missouri Fine Arts Academy Program

Posted on 05/25/2017
A Celebration and a Call-to-Action – Two FHHS Students Accepted into the Last Missouri Fine Arts Academy Program


Francis Howell High School (FHHS) is honored to have two students selected to attend the Missouri Fine Arts Academy (MFAA). Emily Hale and Camryn Szarwinski will attend the academy this summer from June 4 – June 24 at Missouri State University. MFAA is a three-week summer residential program for highly motivated student artists in visual arts, theatre, dance, creative writing, and music. Students who attend MFAA are automatically enrolled in IDS101/Interdisciplinary Seminar at Missouri State University at no additional cost, and receive three hours college credit upon successful completion of the MFAA program.

FHHS has been sending students to MFAA since the early 1990’s, but sadly, the state will discontinue the program in 2018 due to a lack of funding. FHHS art teacher Laura Samuelson, who has taught both Szarwinski and Hale, says the importance of the program includes the opportunities that it unlocks for students.

“We couldn’t be more proud of Camryn and Emily,” said Samuelson. “This shows that our program is producing excellent quality that our students exhibit not only in our District, but in the state. It also positions our students to be more eligible for scholarships when they apply for college.” Student applications for MFAA include a portfolio or audition video, essay, and student evaluation form, all applications are reviewed and adjudicated by a panel of artists and educators.  

Samuelson says “Unfortunately, this program will be dropped in 2018 due to the lack of state funds. We are asking anyone who is interested in keeping this extraordinary program going to write to your state legislators and let your voice be heard!” 

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