Napa Educators Recognize Arts Students for Excellence Qualifying
them for the ACNVEA Scholarships
November 3, 2025 (Napa, CA) — The Arts Council Napa Valley (ACNV) is privileged to award the following teachers and students. Fifteen students are recognized as October’s Visual and Performing Arts Student (VAPA) of the Month (SOM) winners. ACNV SOM annual awards initiative seeks nominees monthly, culminating in a scholarship ceremony at the end of the school year.
We are now accepting nominations for November ACNV SOM from College, High School, Middle School, and Elementary level from the county’s visual & performing arts and creative writing teachers. Please visit the Arts Council Napa Valley website for more information and access to the nomination form. Nominations are due by the 25th of every month.
Please visit our Facebook Page for more images of our SOM’s work. If you’d like to support this year’s Student of the Year ceremony, please consider donating to the event on our website: ArtsCouncilNV.Org/Donations.
Here are October’s winners:
College Level Winners:
Visual Art: Stephanie Hernandez Guardado, Napa Valley College Sophomore

Teacher May Jong writes this about Stephanie:
“Stephanie’s piece, ‘Outside Looking In, ‘ is a powerful mixed media drawing about how someone with body dysmorphia may see their body. She described the piece, saying this:“People emphasize/only see the things that are wrong in their body….Through making it I always wanted the head to look almost normal with only small abstractions…to sort of make it feel as if the viewer is looking through the eyes of the person.” Stephanie is a first-generation student, studying for Studio arts, and planning to transfer. She is a thoughtful, creative, and hard working student. Stephanie always challenges herself. Her friendly demeanor helps create a relaxed, inclusive, and supportive classroom atmosphere.“
High School Level Winners:
Vocal: Maia Medalle, American Canyon HS Senior

Teacher Jamie Butler writes this about Maia:
“Maia excels in whatever she does. In the choir room, the classroom, and the pool as a water polo captain. She has been a section leader in our program for three years. She has been a member of the Chamber Choir and our a cappella group, PDA, for two years. Maia is a gifted singer and an even better human being. She is a natural leader who finds ways to connect with everyone, and she is beloved all over our campus. Teaching Maia these past four years has been an honor, and I can’t wait to see what amazing things she accomplishes out in the world.”
Visual Art (TIE): Jessica Hernandez Gasca, Napa HS Senior

Teacher Kristi Crickmore writes this about Jessica:
“Jessica is both naturally talented and 100% devoted and passionate about her art. She is constantly working to create interesting beautiful pieces that are both technically incredible and have interesting narratives. She is all deserving of any award in the arts for all the hard work she puts in.“
Visual Art (TIE): Athena Morris New Tech HS Senior

Teacher Lisa Gottfried writes this about Athena:
“Athena has an excellent handle on the technical aspects of drawing. She is a diligent artist who applies herself to every lesson. She gets along well with her fellow art students and is a great asset to our Fine Arts class.“
Band & Orchestra: Claire MaCloud, Vintage HS Senior

Teacher Michael Lee Cannon writes this about Claire:
“Claire is profound! She excels at music- Her dedication to practice and refinement of her musical abilities inspires me and others in her class to play better.”
Dance: Jordyn Mosley, Napa HS Senior

Teacher Hollie Johnson writes this about Jordyn:
“Jordyn is a Teacher and Coaches dream!! She shows up every day with the most amazing attitude, ready to work! She excludes positivity…always cheering on her teammates to keep them motivated. Jordyn has been a member of our level 4 dance class in our Dance Department and a Spiritleader all 4 years, the only Spiritleader who has been selected captain for 3 years straight [EVER] and has another leadership position as a Dance Officer in our level 2 class. She works with and mentors our intermediate dancers. She carries a 3.8 GPA and has received the Principal’s academic/athletic award the last 3 years. After school, she trains at a dance studio an additional 20 hours a week as dance is her passion and she hopes to continue it post graduation. It has been an absolute joy being her Teacher and Coach!”
Theater Acting (TIE): Madison Gaskins, American Canyon HS Senior

Teacher Summer Heart writes this about Madison:
“Since her freshman year in Drama 1, I have watched Madi grow from a curious freshman into an inspiring leader. She uplifts her peers, leads by example, and embodies the best of what student artists can be. Rarely have I had the privilege to teach such a curious, caring, and exceptional young person, and I have been fortunate to teach hundreds of amazing students. Madi is a true multi-threat, an actor of remarkable emotional depth. She has contributed to nearly every area of theatre production, including stage management and technical work, and now serves as a Drama 1 teaching assistant, mentoring new students and encouraging them to find their own artistic voices. Onstage, Madi’s performances have been nothing short of captivating. When she steps onto the stage, it’s hard to look away—her authenticity, focus, and emotional truth draw the audience in completely.”
Theater Acting (TIE): Annika Chaudhary-Key, Vintage HS Senior

Teacher Patty Profitt writes this about Annika:
“Annika Chaudhary-Key has become a cornerstone of our theatre program after working on numerous theatre productions since her freshman year. Annika started in Drama 1 at Napa High, and transferred to Vintage the next year. She has been dedicating her after-school time to learning and creating ever since. Annika’s now a senior, and she has spent over 600 hours dedicated to quality theatre work. I especially appreciate Annika’s comedic timing – watching her refine it over the years has been extremely gratifying. Some standout examples were her more recent roles of Miss Flyte in BLEAK HOUSE and Princess Langwidere in OZMA OF OZ. Annika’s villains are always so much fun, and her current role of Milady de Winter in THE THREE MUSKETEERS is a great opportunity for her to showcase her skills.”
Middle School Level Winners:
Visual Art TIE: Angela Huynh, American Canyon MS 8th

Teacher Shawna Hoxsie writes this about Angela:
“Lilly is a highly creative and thoughtful young artist who consistently demonstrates dedication to her work. She invests significant time and care into “Angie is incredibly thoughtful in everything she does in her artwork. Every line and every part of any work she creates has been meticulously thought through. Because of this, her work always turns out extraordinary. ”
Visual Art (TIE): Camilla Corro, Mayacamas Magnet School 7th Grade

Teacher Amiee Reed-Heidenreich writes this about Camilla:
“Camilla should be recognized as art student of the month for the month of October. Her piece is layered with detail and texture inspired by the masterpiece, Nightmare Before Christmas. Camilla worked hard on her project, and put in tremendous effort. Super proud of her skill level and imagination! Great job!”
Theater Directing (TIE): Lora Megia, American Canyon MS 8th

Teacher Sarah Grant writes this about Lora:
“Lora did an amazing job helping out with our fall festival, including running booths and scaring visitors(the acting portion). Lora supports her peers and consistently leads the class towards success. She is a third-year Theatre student who is taking her last year of Middle School Theatre very seriously, and giving it her all.”
Theater Directing (TIE): Celine Raya Erazo, American Canyon MS 7th

Teacher Sarah Grant writes this about Celine:
“Celine is an amazing Theatre student. She is kind, helpful, and hard-working. At the fall festival, Celine, although quite stressed, was my right-hand person. She was helping organize what I could not, as I was already running around- something I normally reserve for my former Theatre presidents who are now in High School. Celine did a great job, her Elementary aged sister even worked the festival too, and her mom bought and sold snacks to try to help the Theatre program earn more funds. They are truly a great family, but Celine is a true asset in Theatre, and I cannot wait to see how much she will grow this year and next. “
Vocal: Sydney Tran, American Canyon MS 8th

Teacher Jamie Butler writes this about Sydney:
“Sydney is a rock in the alto section in zero-period choir! Every day she shows up (at 7:15 am!) not only awake but also ready to sing and even talk some baseball. Last year she used one of her other talents to accompany the choir on the piano. I am grateful to teach talented, kind, hardworking students like Sydney!”
Elementary Level Winners:
Art 3-5 (TIE): Layne Fishleder, St John’s Lutheran 4th

Teacher Sandra Cassayre writes this about Layne:
“Layne is a talented artist. She grasps advanced skills easily and has a wonderful imagination!”
Art 3-5 (TIE): Elaina Thomasser-Martinez, West Park ES 3rd

Teacher Paula Sotiras writes this about Elaina:
“Elaina used fall colors to depict the seasonal change of a tree.”

