Colquitt County High School (CCHS) is proud to announce that seniors Leslie (Lily) Hunt and Rane Kusek have become the first students in the history of Colquitt County to earn the Georgia Department of Education (GADOE) Fine Arts Diploma Seal. This landmark achievement follows the school district's recent approval to begin awarding the seal.
The Fine Arts Diploma Seal is a prestigious recognition developed by the Georgia Department of Education to identify students who have prepared themselves for careers in the creative arts industry. This sector contributes $62.5 billion to Georgia's economy. To earn the seal, students must complete a rigorous set of requirements, including four fine arts credits, two extracurricular activities, 20 hours of arts-related community service, and a capstone project.
"Participation in the fine arts is a key component to improving learning throughout all academic areas," stated Dr. Chris Merritt, CCHS Principal. "The development of creativity and a love for learning produce a more prepared citizen for the workplace of tomorrow."
Lily Hunt and Rane Kusek exceeded these expectations through a combination of academic excellence and community leadership:
- Academic Excellence: Both students were enrolled in the AP 2-D Studio Art course this year. Lily completed four high school visual art credits, while Rane completed five.
- Community Impact: The students surpassed the required 20 hours of community service by painting murals throughout the local community, including works at Doughboy Downtown, Green Oaks Center, Vereen School, GEAR School, and Colquitt County High School.
- Capstone Achievement: Their journey culminated in a Senior Showcase at the Colquitt County Arts Center, where they presented their work to the public.
The introduction of the Fine Arts Diploma Seal is part of Colquitt County Schools' broader commitment to emphasize arts education. The district has an extensive partnership with the Arts Center of Moultrie and funds art teachers in every school to support students across the Visual Art, Theatre, Music, and Mixed Choral pathways.
When asked about this experience, Lily shared, "I'm incredibly honored to have this opportunity to be one of the very first students to receive this art diploma seal. As an art student, this is a great achievement, and I am so thankful for my incredible art teacher, Mrs. Pitts, for guiding me along the way." She plans to attend Valdosta State University to earn a bachelor's degree in Art and Design. She would like to become an industrial designer.
Rane plans to attend Columbus State University to earn a bachelor's degree in Art and Design. She plans to become a professional animator or concept artist for a major studio. She shared, "It is such an honor to receive this diploma seal, and I am grateful to Mrs. Pitts and everyone who supported me in my art journey. I hope that our senior showcase and the work we put into this achievement inspire the next group of art students."
By earning this seal, Hunt and Kusek have demonstrated exceptional talent and a dedicated commitment to the creative arts, setting a high standard for future CCHS graduates.