Three Upper School students were presented with special scholarship awards yesterday, November 2, during the All Saints and Arts chapel. Both Lily Thomas ’24 and Lily Markalunas ’24 were recipients of the Chris Ferrell Scholarship Award, and Ava Pitts ’25 was the recipient of the Richard Buckley Jacques Award.

The Chris Ferrell Scholarship Award was established in memory of Chris Ferrell ’89 and is given to one or more members of the sophomore, junior, or senior class who have demonstrated outstanding gifts and performances in the Fine Arts. This award was first given in 1990-91 and was presented this year to both recipients by Performing Arts Center Theatre Costumer and Production Assistant, Dr. Lisa Allen.

Dr. Allen first spoke about Lily Thomas and stated that “every single contributor commented they are honored to know her and have loved watching her talents in the performing arts grow over the years.” In her comments to Lisa, Joy Hughes, Lower School Music Teacher reflected on Lily’s maturity and independence, even at a young age, and said that “she loved music early on and was dedicated to developing her craft and her performance skills.” Sean Closz, former Middle School Choir Teacher, described her as “an extremely talented yet humble soul who is always helping others” and recounted a time where, despite not being handed a prop during their Show Choir finale, she continued performing and didn’t miss a single beat. Upper School Drama Teacher, Reed Halvorson, called Lily a leader in every sense of the word and stated that “she personifies the consummate artist, working diligently in all her areas of interest: as a musician, vocalist, actor, and social media creator.”

Dr. Allen closed by sharing a few words that described Lily Thomas: “positive, dedicated, hard-working, dependable, professional, genuine, and a shining light.” Fellow musician, thespian, and senior, Lily Markalunas shared some remarks about Thomas, reflecting on her friend, the vital position that she has held in the CCES Arts program, and the passion that she has for the arts as a whole.

After Lily’s remarks, Dr. Allen returned to the podium to present the same award to none other than Lily Markalunas. “We have all loved watching her grow in the performing arts and share that light and positive energy with those around her,” said Dr. Allen. Joy Hughes shared that “she brought others along with her bright personality and her love of the arts. Music came easily for her, and she was happy to share her gifts with others.” Jenny James, Middle School Band Director, stated that her “contributions are never self-serving” and her “consistency and dedication are obvious and always appreciated.” “Few students can make such a significant impact without being the loudest person in the room, but we know to always expect big things from the quiet ones,” stated Reed Halvorson.

Again, Dr. Allen closed her remarks by sharing a few words that described Lily as “reliable, positive, always smiling, dedicated, diligent, focused, a model for other students to emulate, and a shining light.” Swapping roles, it was Lily Thomas’s turn to share stories about her friend including favorite memories she shares with her “name twin,” and how she, and all the CCES Arts program members, have been influenced by Lily’s positive characteristics throughout the years.

The second award was the Richard Buckley Jacques Award, which is given in honor of Richard Buckley Jacques ’07, a legacy and 13-year veteran of Christ Church Episcopal School. Buckley was well loved for his sense of humor and adventurous spirit. He enjoyed travel, history, and playing basketball, but found a sense of purpose in the creative arts, especially digital design. This award, given for the fourth year in a row in his memory, recognizes an Upper School student who demonstrates exceptional talent in the graphics field, whether in photography, film, web design, or other digital media. Upper School Digital Media Teacher, Owen Riley, presented the award to Ava Pitts, describing her as “a poet with a camera who explores the universal and intimate in sometimes haunting and always beautiful ways.” He noted that she is “deeply creative in many artistic mediums including painting and drawing. She is also a gifted portrait photographer, who captures real life and emotion in her portrait sessions”

Ava’s friend and classmate, Sarah Beth Temple ’25, spoke on her behalf. She reflected gifted Ava is creatively, and the high quality of her work, both inside and outside the classroom. Sarah Beth thanked the Christ Church community for allowing Ava to develop her artistic talents as well as provide a space for their friendship to grow over the years.

These arts scholarship awards allows CCES to recognize and celebrate the artistic gifts of both current students and those who have gone before us. Congratulations to our 2023 awardees – Lily Thomas, Lily Markalunas, and Ava Pitts!

[ Photos by alum Ana Pelham, CCES Class of 2021 ]

Our Lower School and Middle School students had the great privilege of hearing our guest artist, Masankho Banda from Malawi. He performed in the Rooke Theatre sharing storytelling sessions with singing and drumming. Everyone learned about Malawi: the geography, the animals, the lake, the food, and the hospitality. He also shared songs and spoke in Lower School chapels. He worked with the Lower School Choir and the Seventh Grade Choir on traditional songs in Chichewa and the National Anthems of Malawi and South Africa. In Fourth Grade music classes, students had the opportunity to learn two dances to go with the songs. The Fourth Grade Percussion Ensemble practiced drumming patterns. For our Middle School students, who are interested in theatre and the upcoming Lion King, Jr. musical, Masankho did a special afternoon workshop and taught them traditional songs and dances. Students could opt to participate in the workshop, and there were about sixty five students who were able to be there!

Thanks to our outstanding Arts Guild, Masankho first came to CCES in 2009 and again this year. In 2008, I attended an Interplay/African dance workshop in Atlanta with Masankho and immediately wanted to invite him to CCES. In his exceptional teaching, he led with generosity, compassion, high expectations, and universal lessons. Since Masankho’s first visit in 2009, Lower School students have been singing the welcome song that he taught us, Nda Ku Ona. It means, “I see you with my heart, and I reach out to you as a fellow human being. Then I can say Hello.” We were so happy to share Masankho’s song back to him after a 13-year wait. Masankho taught us new songs, “Zikomo” which means “Thank you” and “Baba Yo,” the song of the ancestors. We learned that recognizing ancestors who came before us is a way to begin to gather together as a community. Showing gratitude is a practice that can be shared and spread around. We learned that dance and music are intertwined in Malawi, and that dancing and singing can be like praying.

Growing up in Malawi, Masankho was surrounded by storytellers, and he loved to dance. In 1987, Masankho came to the US to attend the College of Wooster where he earned a degree in Theatre and Dance Arts. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Culture and Spirituality from the Sophia Center at Holy Names University in Oakland, and he is a certified leader in Interplay, an international community arts organization. For a few years, Masankho worked as a lay chaplain and performing arts teacher in an Episcopal School in California. Through the arts, he has dedicated his life to inspire people of all ages to work together to bring about peace, social justice, and cultural understanding. Over the past twenty years, he has traveled to teach in 38 countries and in all 50 states. After leaving CCES, he taught in the “LEAF in the Schools and Streets” program and then performed at the LEAF festival in Asheville. He has worked with LEAF for 23 years. When he is not traveling, he lives in Lilongwe, Malawi. For his work around the world and all over the United States, Masankho was awarded the “Unsung Hero of Compassion '' commendation by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in May 2001.

We send a big thank you to the Arts Guild, to Masankho Banda, and to Katie Leckenbusch, Director of the Arts, for this visit. Some of the Third and Fourth Graders wrote thank you letters. Here are some of their responses: “Thank you so much for dedicating your time to come and visit us at CCES to teach us about your tradition through music.” “You inspired me so much.” “You were a great communicator because you lit up my face when you told your stories.” “I noticed that you were very courageous to be on stage in front of everyone.” “Thank you for your songs and your amazing drumming.” “I loved that you were reflective because you remembered all of the stories, songs, and dances from your childhood in Malawi.” “I loved all of your stories because they taught us important lessons.” “Your story was so beautiful. It really warmed my heart.” What a wonderful opportunity we have had.