September 24, 2024
Emily Trespas Memorial Scholarships
Students fuel their creativity & expand their skillsby Nancy Hitchcock
In its second year, the Emily Trespas Memorial Scholarships provided funding for four PA students to engage with creative communities, experiment with new art practices, access a wide variety of resources, and spend time with others who share their passion for the arts.
The four students—with interests ranging from cinematography to animation to drawing—expanded their artistic visions in intensive pre-college programs this past summer.
Maggie Agosto ’26 learned about the role of a professional cinematographer and the techniques, equipment, and creativity involved in lighting for film and television by attending the UCLA Film and Television Cinematography Summer Institute.
“I was happy to receive the scholarship and spend time learning and gaining skills and experience in something I love and hope will be my future career,” says Agosto. “It was one of the most fun and interesting things I’ve ever done.”
With a long-standing interest in art, Lucille Heyd ’26 attended a program at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where she engaged in drawing, design, fashion, and critical studies of art.
“I am so grateful for this scholarship,” says Heyd. “Art has always been something that brings me immense joy and a way to express myself. My experience at RISD gave me the chance to make art all day, which is my dream!”
Cameron Marnoto ’25 was able to focus on his “obsession” with anime at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University (SMFA), while also testing new art forms, such as sculpture and animation. And River Borroel ’26 practiced many artistic skills, including hand-drawn visual art at The Oxbow School Art Institute program in Napa, California.
“The Emily Trespas scholarship allowed me to spend time in a community of like-minded artists who pushed me to become the best artist I could be,” explains Borroel. “I'm incredibly grateful this scholarship allowed for such inspiration.”
Trespas (pictured in the top photo) was a beloved art instructor at PA who passed away in 2021 after a courageous battle with cancer. Trespas, who established and funded the scholarship before her death, wanted recipients to experience visual arts education at a high level.