Nationally recognized art educator Michael Bell sums up Southern High School senior Zoe Kasprzyk in two words: “quiet leader.”
So it should come as no surprise that Zoe said she was speechless to hear of her latest honor: She is the sole recipient of the National Art Education Association’s 2014 Rising Stars Secondary Recognition Award.
While she may not be able to find the words to show her excitement, she is clear about one thing: “Art is expression and communication,” she said.
Zoe hopes to use her talent to make a statement. She is awaiting acceptance into the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she hopes to take part in the school’s unique Art, Culture, and Technology program.
“She’s competitive, hard-working, and dedicated to learning as both a student and an artist,” Bell said.
As a part of the Southern High School chapter of the National Art Honor Society and a member of the Anne Arundel County Public Schools’ Gifted Visual Arts Program, Zoe has painted murals in the community and participated in numerous service projects where her work speaks for itself.
Zoe is the fifth Anne Arundel County Public Schools student in as many years to earn the NAEA’s Rising Stars Award. Four of those five have come from Southern High School.
“She’s stepping into a great legacy and setting the bar high for those who follow,” Bell said.