Our Fine and Performing Arts (FAPA) Awards are an annual celebration recognizing students' exceptional achievements in the arts, including music, theater, and visual arts. Held each spring, the ceremony honors students who have demonstrated outstanding talent, dedication, and leadership throughout the academic year.
A highlight of the event is the presentation of the prestigious Fine and Performing Arts Award Scholarship, bestowed upon a graduating senior who has shown exemplary commitment across at least three arts disciplines during their four years at WHS.
The FAPA Awards also feature a reception showcasing student artwork, such as the AP Art & Design Show, providing an opportunity for the community to appreciate the diverse talents of Wilton High School's student artists.
Congratulations to our 2025 FAPA Award Recipients!
2025 FAPA Award Winner: Finn Ryder
Wilton’s Fine and Performing Arts Award celebrates a student whose creativity, passion, and leadership have left a lasting impact on our arts community. This year, we are proud to honor Finn Ryder, a multi-talented artist whose contributions span music, theater, visual art, and film.
A powerful presence in Wilton’s music scene, Finn has been a three-year member and tenor section leader of the Madrigal Singers, a dynamic voice in the a cappella group Unlike the Rest, and a dedicated member of the Choir Board. On stage, he has shone in a wide range of productions—from Legally Blonde to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, earning twoHalo Award nominations for standout performances in Harry Potter and Big Fish.
Finn’s talents extend far beyond the spotlight. As an AP 2D Art and Design student, his illustration and animation work has stood out for its emotional depth and technical skill, inspiring peers and teachers alike. In filmmaking, he earned top honors at this year’s Access Awareness Awards, winning first place for his high school news story on the Middlebrook ARTS show and third for animation/stop motion.
Creative, driven, and generous in spirit, Finn Ryder truly embodies the heart of the Fine and Performing Arts at Wilton.
Music
Band
PTSA Book Award for Band - Erin Robins, Maya Kesselman
WHS Music Boosters Band Scholarship - Makenna Lindauer
Ambler Trust Jazz Scholarship, in honor of John Rhodes - Arnav Pandey
Ambler Trust Band Scholarship, in honor of Chip Gawle - Elle Hawthorne
Choir
PTSA Book Award for Chorus - Finn Ryder, Shae Farago
WHS Music Boosters Choir Scholarship - Skyler Reading
Wilton Singers Scholarships - Daisy Beach, Kendra Ward
Orchestra
PTSA Book Award for Orchestra - Isaac Downs
WHS Music Boosters Orchestra Scholarship - Eric Ding
Ambler Trust Orchestra Scholarship, in honor of Marty Meade - Hannah Hsu
Art
Advanced Placement Portfolio Class 2025
Alessia Saponara, Ariana Peters, Finnegan Ryde, Gael Santos Lugo, Grace Gordon, Mackenzie Northway, Samantha McDonnell, Sophia Desiderio, Theodore Satrazemis, Zachary Coleman
Ambler Trust Art Scholarship 2025 - Caisie Kennedy, Mackenzie Northway
Connecticut Scholastic Art Awards 2025
Ariana Peters (Painting), Derek Huang (Sculpture), Grace Gordon (Drawing), Henry Zhou (Painting), Kenji Sahay (Photography), Langyue "Moon" Zhang (Digital Art ), Lauren Hohn (Photography), Lia Friedman (Portfolio ), Lucia Kwei (Photography), Samantha McDonnell (Mixed Media), Theodore Satrazemis (Expanded Projects), Zachary Coleman (Design)
CT Association of Schools Arts Award 2025 - Caisie Kennedy
Dana Award 2025 - Gael Santos Lugo
Echelon Award 2025 - Kianna Opont
Friends of Weir Farm 2025 - Caisie Kennedy
Jewelry Design Award 2025 - Anna Coppola, Ella Carbonaro, Liliia Kryvoruchko, Summer Gardner
PTA Reflections 2025
Alyssa Mariani, Grace Gordon, Ishanvi Jaiswal, Langyue "Moon" Zhang, Samantha McDonnell, Sarah Viggiano
PTSA Book Awards 2025
Photography - Thomas Lusignan
Jewelry - Anna Coppola
Drawing - Anthony Vaccaro
Advertising - Jamilah Santos
Fashion - Kaitlyn Vallerie
Painting - Liliia Kryvoruchko
Ceramics - Mackenzie Northway
Computer Graphics - Piper Bittner
Digital Media - Zachary Coleman
Robert Lasson Award 2025 - Anna Coppola
The Greens and Meadows Holiday Card - Diana Peregon
Theater
PTSA Book Award - Ellie Meyer, Grace Todd
Wilton Children’s Theater Awards
Intern Recognition - Aiden Cannavino, Daisy Beach, Grace Hoermann, Grace Todd
Barbara Westry Award - Shae Farago, Kendra Ward
Theater Arts Association (TAA Awards) - Aiden Cannavino, Grace Hoermann
The Yes, And… Award - Casie Kennedy, Sophia Partola
The Heck with Calvin Award - Oliver Davies
The Dwayne Johnson Award - Ellie Meyer
The Sir Edmund Hilary Award - Chris Coffman
Little Theater Company Scholarship Award - Kendra Ward
Backstage Theater Excellence Award - Hannah Hsu
The Golden Curtain Award - Daisy Beach
The Producer’s Award - Shae Farago