Student Award Ceremony

April 14, 2020

The Program of Dance and Movement held a virtual student award ceremony on April 14, 2020. Six students were recognized for their service, excellence, and for going the extra mile in their creative endeavors and scholarship in dance and movement.

The Program presented The Hook-Taylor Award (Pooka Prize) to Michaela Pratt '21, the Dancer Citizen Award to Yara Izhiman '21, the Sevigny Service Award to Kathy Serna '23, and Above and Beyond Awards to Callista Zaronias '23, Samantha Mensah '21, and Maggie Porcelli '23.

The Hook-Taylor Award is given to a senior in recognition of their passion, imagination and ability to take risks in the art of dance and choreography. Chosen by the Program of Dance and Movement Director and Faculty, this prize is made possible by dance photographer Paul H. Taylor, in honor of bothJudith Hook, former Director of the then University of Rochester Program of Movement and Dance, and his father Dr. L. Holland Taylor, who graduated from the University of Rochester Medical School after returning from WWII.

Dr. Taylor set up his practice in Rochester, which was in existence for over 35 years, where he and Paul's mother Constance Taylor, were generous philanthropists for the arts in our community.

A photo collage of the student award winners in dance poses.
Clockwise from top left: Maggie Porcelli (photo by John Schlia), Samantha Mensah (photo by John Schlia), Yara Izhiman (photo by John Schlia), Kathy Serna (photo by John Schlia), Michaela Pratt (photo by Missy Pfohl Smith), Callista Zaronias (photo by Keith Walters).