THS Art Student Takes Best of Show

Local High School students currently have their work on display at Zions Bank in downtown St. George. Schools participating in the Washington County All High School Show are Desert Hills, Hurricane, Millcreek, Dixie, Snow Canyon, Pine View, Tuacahn and Enterprise.

The art exhibit was judged by Richard Rose, artist and president of the Watercolor Society. Rose has been painting for approximately 35 years, and has won many awards for his artwork.

Tuacahn's own James Valentine took Best of Show for his piece titled "The Yellow Rose." James is currently a Junior at THS. He received a cash award of $50 from Zions Bank for his entry. Honorable Mention was received by Kinei Clugg for her entry, "The Water Lily."

This High School Exhibit will be on display through May 10, 2011.

Article details from the The Spectrum.

Stage Door Opens March 31, 2011

The production of the play, Stage Door, begins Thursday March 31, 2011 at THS in the Hafen Theatre at 7:30 pm. The play is about a group of actresses trying to find work in NYC in 1936. It is a wonderful play, sure to delight the audience! The show runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday (March 31, April 1 and 2), Monday April 4th, and again Thursday, Friday and Saturday (April 7, 8 and 9). Don't miss it!

THS Dancers Earn Top Marks at UDEO's Dance Festival

THS Dance Company at Utah Dance Education Organization's 9th annual High School Dance Festival in 2010.


THS Dance students attended the Utah High School Dance Festival at Weber State University on March 19, 2011. Students were able to attend master classes, had an adjudication session, and performed in the gala showcase at the end of the festival.

According to event organizers, seventeen schools (400-600 students) participated this year, from as far away as St. George and as near as Weber County. The dance companies that are invited are made up of students who attend dance classes requiring an audition.

The festival is not a competition, but each company performs two pieces and judges give them a rating and feedback. At least one of the pieces is choreographed by students.

THS received the highest rating, Superior, on both pieces. The adjudicators pick 5 student's pieces from all of the entries at the festival to receive a meritorious award in choreography. THS Shelby Ogden's piece, Hazy Milk, was one of the five chosen for this award.

Some of the information for this post was from the Standard-Examiner.

Dance Classes Participate in Joffrey Ballet Master Classes

THS Dance III and Dance Company classes had the privilege of being taught from master teachers from the Joffrey Ballet School. Students attended two master classes in classical ballet and modern/contemporary dance. This class also served as an audition for placement and scholarship to the Joffrey school summer intensive. According to Mrs. Dail, THS Dance Academy head, students will find out if they were selected for these scholarships in the coming months.

Jan Shelton Hunsaker Inducted into NETA Hall of Fame

Jan Shelton Hunsaker, THS Artistic Director, and has been selected by the National Educational Theatre Association as one of five inductees into this year’s National Hall of Fame. Jan’s career accomplishments in educational theater are unmatched in Utah. She has great accomplishments in her 22 year career, and has raised the level of theatrical excellence at Tuacahn High School to a standard that sets the bar of superior performance for all other high schools in the state. Not only has she been an educator teaching drama and debate, she also owned and operated a theatre in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Before coming to Tuacahn High School, she was employed by the Alpine School District. She has led her students in earning 9 State Drama and Shakespearean Championships, and assisted 100's of students in earning college scholarships in the performing arts.

The NETA award ceremony will be held in Chicago in September at the National Convention. The plaque and bio sketch will be on display at the Hall of Fame Home Office In Cincinnati, Ohio.

THS Production of "Stage Door"

Stage Door, a comedy by Edna Ferber and George S. Kaufman, is being performed at Tuacahn High School on March 31, April 1, 2, 4, 7-9. It will be held in the Tuacahn Hafen Theatre at 7:30 pm.

Stage Door Poster...click on picture to enlarge.

Don't miss the opportunity to be entertained by a cast of talented THS students, under the professional direction of Jan and Andy Hunsaker. You won't want to miss it! Tickets are on sale at the school or at the door. Call 435-652-3201.

THS Vocal Music Takes Top Awards at SUPAF

Sabrina Parry and Mr. Kentros after Sabrina received her award for Solo Vocalist.

Tuacahn High School's Vocal Music students did extremely well at the Southern Utah Performing Arts Festival this year. In his first year of teaching vocal music at THS, Mr. JP Kentros has really helped students excell.

Awards received by THS vocal music groups include:

Madrigals: received a superior rating and won the SUPAF Award for High School Choirs.
Radiante: received a superior rating.

Awards received by THS vocalists include:

Sabrina Parry: superior rating and won a SUPAF Award as a Solo Vocalist.
Taylor Richardson: superior rating and won a Music Works Award.
Kendle Zdunich: superior rating.
Danica Christensen: superior rating.
Aubrey Anderson: superior rating.
Caleigh Venetis: superior rating.
Hunter Kanenwisher: superior rating.
Keira Richardson and Abi Christian: superior rating for their duet.

Congratulations to all of the above THS Vocal Music students for their outstanding accomplishments!