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LaF Arts Council honors quartet from Riverview

Riverview students (front row from left) Sophia Smekens, Tyler Ditton, Pryce Whisenhunt and Alexandra Short received artist of the month awards from the LaFontaine Arts Council.
Riverview students (front row from left) Sophia Smekens, Tyler Ditton, Pryce Whisenhunt and Alexandra Short received artist of the month awards from the LaFontaine Arts Council. Photo by Andre B. Laird.

On Tuesday, Oct. 30, the LaFontaine Arts Council presented four Riverview Middle School students with Artist of the Month awards.

Recipients were seventh-grader Pryce Whisenhunt and Alexandra Short, Tyler Ditton and Sophia Smekens, all eighth-graders.

Whisenhunt was nominated by Danielle Ellenburg in the category of choir.

Ellenburg stated that Whisenhunt demonstrates leadership skills. He currently studies violin at Huntington University, is a member of the Huntington Children Concert Choir, earned all-state honors in choir and participated in Circle the State with Song.

Whisenhunt is the son of Jerry and Penny Whisenhunt, of Huntington.

Short was nominated by communications teacher Tyler Oatess.

Oastess noted that Short was knowledgeable, honest, hardworking and works well with others.

She is the daughter of Alan and Michele Short, of Huntington.

Ditton was nominated by band director James Court.

Court stated that Ditton is an excellent French horn player and is a string positive influence on the band.

Ditton is also on the A/B honor roll list and a member of the student council.

He is the son of Staci Shenefield, of Andrews.

Smekens was nominated by art teacher Christine Nicholson.

Nicholson stated that Smekens is intelligent, puts careful thought into her work, strives to improve her skills by asking questions and pushes herself to try something different.

Smekens is the daughter of Brady and Kristina Smekens, of Warren.

Complete caption: Riverview students (front row from left) Sophia Smekens, Tyler Ditton, Pryce Whisenhunt and Alexandra Short received artist of the month awards from the LaFontaine Arts Council. The presentation was made on Tuesday, Oct. 30, with teachers who nominated the students, (back row from left) Christine Nicholson, Danielle Ellenburg, James Court, Tyler Oatess and Ruth Marsh, from the arts council.