What does it take to go from the classroom… to a national stage?
KENT ISLAND — In this special video episode of ArtScene | The Podcast, recorded on location at Kent Island High School (KIHS) in partnership with QAC-TV, host Michael Bell sits down with senior Olivia Valenti, National Art Honor Society (NAHS) President, NAHS National Student Council Ambassador, and 2026 National Art Education Association (NAEA) Rising Star Award recipient—one of the nation’s highest honors for emerging student artists pursuing careers in art education.
Fresh off the national stage in Chicago, Valenti reflects on the moment she was recognized in front of art educators from across the country—and the years of dedication, discipline, and purpose that led her there.
Valenti’s recognition as a National Rising Star is the result of an extraordinary high school career defined by both artistic excellence and leadership. She has maintained an outstanding academic record while completing a rigorous schedule of Honors, AP, and dual-enrollment courses, including AP 2D Design and AP Drawing. As President of both the National Honor Society and National Art Honor Society, she has led numerous service initiatives, mentored fellow student artists, and contributed to collaborative projects within the school and community. She has also earned nearly half a million dollars in scholarship offers this year alone.
Her work has earned Scholastic Art Awards recognition and has been exhibited at venues including the Academy Art Museum, the Kent Island Federation of Arts, the Queen Anne’s County Arts Council, and the Regional True Colors Mental Health Art Show. In addition to her artistic accomplishments, she has contributed to theatrical design productions, served as an art department intern, and balanced a part-time job—demonstrating a level of dedication and professionalism that distinguishes her among the nation’s top student artists.
Queen Anne’s County Public Schools also supported Valenti in traveling to Chicago to receive the national award in person through grant support—ensuring she could fully experience a moment that brought the impact of her work full circle.
“When students are given opportunities like this—you go,” said Michael Bell. “I wanted Olivia to be on that stage… to feel it, to see it, and to understand that her art can take her places. This time it was Chicago—and it won’t be her last.”
The episode also highlights the impact of her teacher, Andrea Schulte, KIHS Visual Arts Department Chair, whose accolades include QACPS Teacher of the Year, Maryland State Teacher of the Year Finalist, Secondary Art Educator of the Year, and Arts Inclusion Educator of the Year from the Arc of Maryland. Schulte’s program has been recognized not only for artistic excellence, but for its emphasis on inclusion, student voice, and real-world impact—including recent features on student recognition at Disabilities Day at the Maryland Legislature and her personal journey promoting student voice through art while navigating profound hearing loss. Valenti is Schulte’s second National Rising Star award winner.
In addition, students from the KIHS Visual Arts program have earned millions of dollars in scholarships over the past few years, further demonstrating the transformative power of arts education. As Bell noted, “it’s talented teachers that help create talented students.”
Adding to the depth of the episode, senior NAHS student leaders also join the conversation, including Grace Hartlove (Vice President), Madison Gorski (Treasurer), and Lindsey Smoot (Secretary). Their voices reflect the collaborative culture, leadership development, and student-driven impact that define the KIHS art program.
This episode of ArtScene | The Podcast goes beyond awards and accolades—it captures the process behind the moment, the mentorship behind the success, and the community behind the work.
Listen and watch on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/show/3WydnpHI3Gw6MIJnJD0ZXv?si=947d849e930a4eda&nd=1&dlsi=e05ec71cfa1a460e
View Olivia Valenti being awarded the nation’s NAEA Rising Star Award and NAEA Conference highlights on the QACPS YouTube channel.
Experience ArtScene in Person
Experience the program behind the recognition.
Community members are invited to experience the energy and impact of QACPS arts programs firsthand at the district’s signature annual showcase:
🎨 ArtScene at Queen Anne’s County High School
📅 Tuesday, April 28, 2026
🕔 5:00 – 8:00 PM
🎨 ArtScene at Kent Island High School
📅 Thursday, April 30, 2026
🕔 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Both events are free and open to the public.
ArtScene has grown into one of the largest professionally juried K–12 student art exhibitions in the state of Maryland—and this year promises to be bigger than ever.
Guests can expect:
- Nearly a dozen food trucks
- Live art demonstrations
- National Art Honor Society induction ceremonies
- Recognition of Scholastic Art Award winners
- Announcements of millions in student art scholarships
- Student artwork on display and available for purchase
Don’t miss it. Students and families are encouraged to stay until the very end to celebrate all student award-winners and National Art Honor Society inductees.
About QACPS Fine Arts
Queen Anne’s County Public Schools is committed to providing a comprehensive and innovative arts education experience for all students. Through initiatives like ArtScene, Visual Journaling across the curriculum, and Fine Arts Signing Days in collaboration with the CTE Office, QACPS continues to elevate student voice, foster creativity, and position its programs on the national stage. Learn more at: https://www.qacps.org/curriculum-departments/fine-arts/