Arts

Congratulations to the following students who participated in our art signing day on Thursday, April 11 to celebrate their intent to continue their academic and artistic careers. We can't wait to see what you will achieve!

The work of five McNicholas visual communications students is on display at the annual Artists Reaching Classrooms (ARC) Exhibition. You can see the artwork of seniors Amanda Braig and Grace Elpers and juniors Noel Shelly, Devon Coleman, and Kennedy Dehner at The Taft Museum of Art through March 30.

Junior Katie Claes competed in the Cincinnati finals of the Rotary Club speech contest. This year’s theme, “Create Hope in the World,” inspired Katie to speak out about her experience of Asian-American discrimination during the pandemic and beyond.

Congratulations to the following students who have been recognized for their achievements and named student of the week by the Cincinnati Enquirer during the 2023-24 school year!

Congratulations to the eighteen art students who were inducted into the National Art Honor Society. NAHS inspires and recognizes students who have shown an outstanding ability and interest in art and supports members in their efforts to attain the highest standards in art scholarship, character, and service.

The McNicholas Theatre Department proudly announces its upcoming performance of the hit Broadway musical, MEAN GIRLS: High School Version. While the musical humorously depicts the pitfalls of gossip, bullying, and exclusion, it also serves as a platform to emphasize the importance of kindness, forgiveness, and compassion.

Congratulations to the Rocket band members who earned state ratings in the Ohio Music Education Solo & Ensemble Competition as well as our students who represented McNicholas in the OMEA District 14 Honor Band. 

Sophomore Sophia Brockman’s talent was in the spotlight when she performed with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra during the Holiday Pops show.  

The McNicholas Theatre Department is eager to present a show you are sure to sink your teeth into, Dracula. The play will run October 26-28 at McNicholas High School in the Jeanne Spurlock Theatre. Tickets are now on sale! 

Rockets in Environmental Science classes sponsored a Love the Earth Day event to bring McNicholas and the community together in celebration of the beauty of the earth and to inspire care for God’s creation. Students collaborated with classmates and other departments to create interactive exhibits displaying research about conservation, recycling, and sustainability.

Junior Amanda Braig placed third in the Ohio state finals of the Poetry Out Loud competition. “Amanda was a clear standout at the State competition; her poise, confidence, and clear articulation were outstanding!” Poetry Out Loud coach and English teacher Mrs. Laura Rupp said.

The McNicholas Theatre Department is excited to present their production of Xanadu, the hilarious, roller skating, musical adventure about following your dreams despite the limitations others set for you. This groovy musical will run March 2-5 at the Anderson Center with a special appearance at McNick at Night.

Congratulations to the Rocket band members who earned superior and excellent ratings in the Ohio Music Education Solo & Ensemble Competition as well as those who represented McNicholas in the Catholic Honor Band during Catholic Schools Week.

The McNicholas Theatre Department is eager to present a heart-felt snapshot of love and nostalgia in their fall production of Kodachrome. The play will run November 3-6 at McNicholas High School in the Jeanne Spurlock Theatre. Tickets are now on sale!

Art teacher Mr. Willy Corbett will clean his last paintbrush and theatre director Ms. Teresa De Zarn will take her last bow as the 2022-23 school year comes to a close.

The McNicholas Theatre Department is excited to announce its production of Hail Mary!, a combination of laughter, deep thought, and more laughter! The show runs April 28-30 at the Jeanne Spurlock Theatre at McNicholas High School. This comedy, written by Tom Dudzick and directed by English teacher and classroom comedian Mr. Jeff Mulvey '86, will have you laughing in the (church) aisles. 

At McNicholas, we build bridges...but sometimes we break them too! Ms. Gaskins’s Architectural Drafting students designed, constructed, and then tested the strength of their spaghetti bridges. Junior Caroline Mohahan’s brilliant design was the strongest, holding 14.1 pounds!

Twenty-six Rockets were inducted to the National Art Honor Society this April. NAHS inspires and recognizes students who have shown an outstanding ability and interest in art and supports members in their efforts to attain the highest standards in art scholarship, character, and service.

Architecture students tested the design of their egg drop contraptions during the 2022 Architecture Egg Drop Competition. Even with the added challenge of a windy day, 18 of 25 eggs made it safely from the window of the convent to the blacktop three stories down.

The McNicholas Theatre Department is excited to announce the high-rolling fun of our spring musical production of Guys and Dolls. The show will run March 10-12 at the Anderson Center Theatre. With Broadway veteran Ms. Teresa De Zarn directing the show and a talented cast of McNicholas students, Guys and Dolls is a sure bet.

Congratulations to the Rocket band members who earned superior and excellent ratings in the Ohio Music Education Solo & Ensemble Competition. Band Director Keith Nance said, “These musicians have worked hard and it shows. They are a dedicated bunch who know how to focus on what’s important.”

Conner Dute ’22 and Conner Gibson ’22 were both awarded Gold Keys for their architecture work. Connor Dute was recognized for his pizza oven rendering, Rock-In Park, and Conner Gibson received his Gold Key for The Cozy Comb, a plan for sustainable living for displaced persons. Both Conners will move on the National Scholastic competition.

Junior Peter Anderson and senior Gabrielle Gruppo's photographs are on display in the Studio San Giuseppe Art Gallery at Mount St. Joseph University as part of their Selections biennial exhibition.

The McNicholas Theatre Department performed Music Theatre International’s All Together Now! to sold-out audiences on November 12-14. This brand new musical revue was part of a world-wide event celebrating theatre.

The Rocket Marching Band started their competition season off with two strong performances at the Lebanon High School Band Invitational and the Goshen Band Invitational, bringing home trophies as Lebanon’s Fan Favorite and Goshen’s Reserve Grand Champion.

Congratulations to freshman artist Lucy Timko whose artwork was selected as one of twelve designs for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati Bicentennial Holy Cards.

Ms. Mel Gaskins, recent recipient of the Scholastic Educators Art Award, and her Architecture students tested the design of their egg drop contraptions.

COVID may have put a stop to our traditional annual Art Show, but it has not limited the creativity, productivity, or talent of our Rocket artists!

Twenty-three students were recognized for the ways that their artistic talents and creativity make our world more beautiful.

McNicholas theatre presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee to sold out audiences.

Rockets earn Superior and Excellent ratings in the Ohio Music Education Spring Solo & Ensemble Competition.

Senior Isabella Bonner wins a Silver Medal in the National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards competition for her exceptional work in ceramics.

Freshmen Amanda Braig and Taylor Ferenc and junior Shannon Whitely win Poetry Slam contest.