***NEWS RELEASE***
CENTREVILLE, MD – On May 9, 2025, Queen Anne’s County High School made history as it hosted its first-ever Fine Arts Signing Day, joining Kent Island High School in launching a district-wide celebration of students committing to pursue the arts in college. The event—part of QACPS’ first known statewide Fine Arts Signing Day tradition—gave graduating seniors the same kind of high-profile recognition typically reserved for student-athletes, affirming the importance of the arts in public education.
🎥 Watch highlights from QACHS’ historic Fine Arts Signing Day on YouTube
The event spotlighted five outstanding students whose accomplishments span visual arts, theatre, and dance. Their collective honors include state and national recognitions, leadership in arts honor societies, and scholarship offers from prestigious institutions.
QACHS Fine Arts Signing Day Honorees:
- Catrina Gromley, Dance
High Point University
All-State Dancer, President of QACHS National Honor Society for Dance Arts - Sofia Vasquez, Visual Art
Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) - Sam Holdgreve, Theatre
Emerson College - RJ Barnes, Theatre
Samford University - Savanah Vega, Dance Education
Anne Arundel Community College
Senior Sofia Vasquez reflected:
“It was amazing being recognized along with the Performing Arts department students, for our artistic talent and years of effort we put in to develop that talent that led us to being accepted to colleges where we can pursue our chosen career paths. What an honor.”
Savanah Vega added:
“I loved the signing day! I thought it was very cool how the arts were recognized in the way we were. It was a great way to show our commitments to our future. I felt so supported by everyone there—it really showed off all the hard work that we have put into what we love to do. It was nice to be recognized not only by our own families, but also by some of our student body. Overall, this opportunity was amazing and I hope future students get to experience this as well.”
Stephanie Zeiler, Visual Arts Department Chair, remarked:
“It is really extraordinary to be able to shine a spotlight on these artistic students and to be able to celebrate with our students as they get recognized for all the hours, emotions, hard work and diligence that goes into developing their skills and creativity. What a special moment.”
Megan Murphy, Director of Drama, added:
“It was truly wonderful to celebrate our performing arts students. It was a joy to let the community join in the recognition of their talent and four years of hard work. I can’t wait to see what these bright students accomplish in their future in the arts!”
Kristen Tyler, Performing Arts Department Chair, shared:
“The 1st ever signing was a huge success! It meant so much to me to see my dance students recognized for their dedication to their art and for them to be celebrated for all of their hard work and choice to continue dancing. It takes a village, and it was so great that the village was there to be able to celebrate the students’ dedication to dance and commitment for the future.”
Held just one week after QACPS’s ArtScene K–12 showcases at both high schools, this event was part of a larger county-wide effort to elevate arts education. The impact has been recognized by arts and education leaders across the state.
Michael Bell, QACPS Fine Arts Supervisor, noted:
“Today was about celebration and validation. These students have spent years developing their voice within each fine arts discipline, and their creativity deserved to be honored. With the strong partnership I’ve built with Adam Tolley, our CTE Supervisor, our district will continue to champion student success in the arts.”
To view the ceremony in its entirety—which included students committing to college, the armed forces, and other assorted career paths alongside those pursuing the Fine Arts—visit QAC-TV.
Download a PDF copy of the news release here.