information from Allied Arts Foundation

Multiple students at Ballard High School have been presented with Allied Arts Foundation’s prestigious Robert J. Block Awards for Artistic Excellence. 

Founded in 1998, the awards recognize and support outstanding Seattle high school students involved in visual, theatrical, musical and/or literary arts. Winners received $200, an award certificate, and cultural opportunity items such as tickets to The Vera Project, and memberships to The Frye Art Museum.

Marley Rankin for excellence in Visual Arts — Video Production

“Beyond impressing everyone, from her classmates to festival judges with the artistic excellence in her films,  Marley displays initiative and leadership daily in the filmmaking program. She was the major force for putting on our Ballard film festival this year, assisting me greatly with organizing the other students, rehearsing them, and making it happen. Her films have been in local and national festivals, and won Awards from the Natl. Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (“The Emmy people”) I expect great things from Marley in the future.” — Steven Bradford, Digital Filmmaking Instructor

Olivia Balaban for excellence in Performing Arts — Theatre

“Olivia has been our company stage manager for the last 2 years. She is responsible for assembling a crew of students to work all technical aspects of a stage production. She is also responsible to call the show each performance night and be my right hand!! She is amazing at what she does and I know that she will go far in her education and in anything she puts her mind to!” — Shawn Riley, Director of Theatre

Anika Thomas for excellence in Music

“4 years of joyous participation, fine leadership, and generous citizenship in the BHS Orchestra Program and BHS Performing Arts Program” — Elizabeth Fortune, Director of Orchestras

Alice Rooney Award

We are also proud to announce the winner of the Alice Rooney Award for Excellence in the Arts, created in 2019 in honor of noted Seattle arts leader Alice Rooney.

Morgen Matthea White for excellence in Visual Arts

“She has been part of the arts for the last three years and has turned into an incredible artist. She excels in drawing and photography” — Gina O’Neill, Department Head, Fine Arts