Our annual Ones to Watch lineup is a star-studded cast of performers and artists who have passion that matches their talents. We are proud to showcase these graduating students who are pursuing their creative dreams.
Jordin Adams: Bert Church High School
“Jordin Adams is a shining star in our school’s drama community, bringing boundless energy, talent and leadership to every production. This year, she showcased her versatility as both an actor and assistant director, leaving her mark on A Midsummer Night’s Dream after a standout performance in A Christmas Carol. Even beyond official roles, Jordin’s natural charisma and dedication inspire those around her. Whether she’s offering creative insight, supporting castmates or stepping up to lead, her passion for theatre is infectious and her collaborative spirit makes every project brighter. Jordin is incredibly hard-working and holds herself to high standards. She’s truly been incredible to work with this year; I can’t wait to see where her zeal and talent for theatre take her.”
— Tom Williams, drama teacher
What was your aha! moment, when you knew this was your creative path? I fell in love with theatre before my first production even started. During COVID, I was obsessed with Hamilton to an admittedly embarrassing degree — I had all the songs memorized and had no problem randomly breaking into song in class. Hamilton kept me afloat during eighth grade, but I don’t think I truly fell in love with performing until Mamma Mia! in Grade 9. I remember many times I sat on the theatre stairs with my friend and just watched rehearsals going on when I wasn’t on stage. There was a certain sparkle in the air that I haven’t felt since. It felt special, like, yeah, this is where I’m meant to be. But I think my “aha!” moment was running onstage for the first time to dance to the song “Mamma Mia”! I remember how bright the stage lights were and how hard my heart was pounding as I looked out into the full auditorium. The audience didn’t know me or care who I was, much less paid any attention to me, but, in that moment, I couldn’t help but smile. It was pure magic. I remember going home that day and looking in the mirror and, for the first time in a long time, genuinely liking the person looking back at me. I realized I was happiest while performing.
Who is your greatest creative influence? That’s a bit of a tough question. The truth about my acting is that I don’t have one specific influence. I have a few obvious ones, like the classic faces of Broadway. But I also have other favourites like Jordan Fisher and JJ Niemann, whose dedication and versatility in unmatched. But actors like Tom Hiddleston and Ian McKellen are also fantastic as they can survive in both the theatre and film industries. But I’ve taken influence from line deliveries and body movements from various TV shows and movies in the past, and I often reference the source material in some way when I act. In short, my greatest creative influence is the world around me. Having many different influences keeps your acting interesting and dynamic. It’s a little disorganized at times, but it makes it unique and more fun to me!
Isis Doyle: W.H. Croxford High School
“Isis Doyle is a dedicated and talented young artist who has been an integral part of the Visual Arts and Media (VAM) Academy at W.H. Croxford throughout her high school years. She has consistently excelled in visual arts, demonstrating a strong passion for both painting and digital art. Her work showcases a unique blend of creativity, technical skill and storytelling, making her a standout among her peers. This fall, Isis will be attending the Alberta University of the Arts in Calgary, where she plans to major in character design with a minor in fine arts, specifically painting. With her dedication and drive, Isis is undoubtedly one to watch as she embarks on her post-secondary journey in the arts.”
— Vernon Gray, teacher
Who is your greatest creative influence? One of my greatest creative influences is a hard question to answer as I have many across the board, but a person I have been interested in for ages is J.C. Leyendecker. His colours and the way he paints, the way he draws clothes and people, have always been a level of talent I want to reach.
What is your dream career? Another one of my inspirations is the show Arcane; it inspires me greatly and helped me decide what I want to do. In the future, I want to be a concept artist. I want to design characters and work with and on shows such as Arcane, The Wild Robot and things that evoke a great deal of emotion.
James Hewat: Bert Church High School
“James Hewat will be attending Red Deer Polytech for animation and visual effects. I met James when he was contributing to creating set designs for the school plays. At the time, I was very impressed with his creativity and skill and was wondering why he wasn’t in art. I was glad when, in Grade 11, James took Art 10, and then in Grade 12 took Art 20, and then Art 30. In doing so, James reinforced how creative and artistic he is. What I like most about James is that he challenges himself and tasks some risk in mediums or processes he is not familiar with, and he is thoughtful and work through the challenges — and, every single time, he creates an amazing artwork. James is just an all-round nice person; he has a good demeanour; he is friendly, helpful and just a great human. I was very pleased to hear that he has been accepted to Red Deer and that he is pursuing an arts career. I have no doubt that he will be very successful in his studies and where they may lead.”
— Lisa Tschritter, teacher
What was your aha! moment? I feel like everybody around me had my “aha!” moment before me. My mom used to always make me empty my pockets before going to restaurants because she just couldn’t get me to stop bringing pens and I would draw on every napkin and piece of paper around me. Looking at old drawings was a huge moment, too. My first sketchbook was a gift from a close family friend and I firmly believe that the gift of that sketchbook was crucial in starting me on a path for my love of the arts. I only recently realized the power art could have in the world due to my teacher, Ms. Tschritter, and how she explained that art is more than just the physical; it’s the emotion, the mental, the spiritual. Every artwork has a story to tell that’s more than just colours and shape, its heart and soul. In short, I picked a pencil up and never put it down. It was only a matter of time before I realized the power the ink held.
Who is your greatest creative influence? I would have to say my largest creative influence is the media I consume. It really shaped my style, my personality, the type of art I wanted to create (that specifically being art that inspires others to really strive for finding the inspiration they need from a thousand different sources). I firmly believe that had I not taken to all sorts of out-of-the-way shows and games, I wouldn’t be myself and would struggle with creative burnout far more often. A very close second is my sisters, for much the same reason. I want to be able to make something that tells them so much is possible in the world and they can do what they want. I want them to see movies and wonder what goes into it. I want to make wonder. I want to make wonder, because the world will always need more.
Thomas Noble: W.H. Croxford High School
“Thomas Noble is a dedicated and talented artist who has been in the Visual Arts and Media (VAM) Academy at W.H. Croxford throughout high school. He has a strong foundation in the visual arts and has developed a deep passion for filmmaking, as well. This fall, Thomas will be attending Alberta University of the Arts (AUA) in Calgary, where he hopes to major in glassblowing and minor in animation. His ambition to explore both traditional and digital art forms showcases his versatility and commitment to pushing artistic boundaries.”
— Vernon Gray, teacher
What was your aha! moment? I’ve been obsessed with creating art for as long as I can remember, it wasn’t until I entered the W.H. Croxford VAM Academy that I began appreciating art itself. Beforehand, art was just something I did in my free time, something to help me relax. As I explored art more and more through the VAM Academy, I started to care more about the art itself, as opposed to just enjoying making it. I still hadn’t exactly [know] what I wanted to do career-wise. I didn’t really care regardless; I just knew I wanted to keep creating and exploring art for the rest of my life.
What is your dream career? Up until last year, I spent every summer working at a day camp in Gull Lake, Alta. This experience is what made me want to become an art teacher. I had such an incredible time being able to work with those kids. I want nothing more than to be able to use my skills to push future generations to experience art the way that I have. Getting there is going to be an eight-year stretch of schooling, getting an art degree at AUA, and a teaching degree at the University of Victoria, working as a tattoo artist throughout.
Natalie Perdue: Bert Church High School
“Natalie Perdue comes by her creative talents honestly, with influence from her photographer mother and writer father. From a very early age, Natalie showed an interest in video production, using her parents’ handheld camcorder to create an original video series and edit content using Adobe software. In 2013, she assisted her father in filming several corporate videos and entered two original short films into competitions when she was in grades 5 and 6. Following that, Natalie continued to make more short films, constantly improving her video editing skills along the way. It was not until she entered Grade 10 at Bert Church High School that Natalie began to explore live theatre, gravitating towards technical theatre and volunteering as a stagehand with Nose Creek Players. Her crowning achievement came at the end of Grade 11 when she became Bert Church’s first student-director with an original play that she co-wrote called Memento Mori. In Grade 12, she embarked on a more ambitious project, doubling the size of her cast and crew, while co-directing Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. After graduating from Bert Church, Natalie plans to take a gap year, spend some time travelling, produce an independent short film and then follow in her father’s footsteps by attending film school in the Fall of 2026.”
— Tim Williams, teacher
What was your “aha!” moment? I’ve always been interested in the arts, ever since I was little. I’ve had a camera on my shoulder since age five, and have been editing my own videos since age nine. I think the moment I knew that this was what I wanted to do was in my Grade 11 year after the first play I directed, Memento Mori. It was a hassle to put together, for sure, but I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. My late drama teacher, Mr. Goodyear, also inspired me so much. He had a gift for seeing untapped potential in students, even if they didn’t see it in themselves. I was one of those students. I’ve also always had a passion for classic movies, especially those from the ’80s. Seeing how the directors would use camera angles, lighting, props and their actors’ unique abilities to tell incredible stories always inspired me. I hope to take the influence they’ve had on me and transcribe it into my own creations.
Who is your greatest creative influence? My greatest influences would be directors like John Hughes, Hayao Miyazaki, Steven Spielberg and Penny Marshall. One movie I’ve been obsessed with recently is The Breakfast Club by John Hughes. He wrote and directed it himself, but also let his actors play around a bit. He let them get to know each other as people and that familiarity helped them create one of the most famous scenes in movie history. These directors have shaped who I am today. They have sparked my imagination and have given me so much motivation. I don’t think I could pick just one influence, because I’m a mosaic of all my favourite people.
Deoriza Rich Cueva: Bert Church High School
“Everything that Deoriza Rich Cueva has created in art blows me away as she is an amazing talent; she can do anything, and she does it with such precision and attention to detail. When she told me she was going to study architecture, I was not surprised that she would choose to study a discipline that requires one to be detail-oriented and creative. I have no doubt that Deo will excel and become a great architect. Deo also did not take Art 10 until Grade 11 and then took Art 20 and Art 30 in Grade 12. She is well-versed in many mediums, but still strives to demonstrate exceptional skill and technique and consider thoughtful compositions, and she does this with intention. Deo is very thoughtful in her process … the process is as important as the outcome. This is a rare attribute in someone so young. She is planning to get a Bachelor of Design in City Innovation and then a Master of Architecture at U of C.”
— Lisa Tschritter, art teacher
What was your “aha!” moment, when you knew this was your creative path? My “aha!” moment wasn’t just one big event — it was a series of small ones. I’ve always been inclined to explore new hobbies, and I found myself consistently drawn to the arts. Whether it was sketching, painting or simply creating something with my hands, I felt the most myself when I was making art. That natural pull toward creativity made me realize that it is something I want to keep in my life, no matter what path I take.
What is your dream career? Where do you see yourself 10 years from now? In 10 years, I see myself working as either an architect or an engineer, someone who builds and designs with purpose. But, alongside that, I’ll still be an artist. I want to keep creating on the side, whether that is through visual arts, design or something new I haven’t discovered yet. My goal is to balance a practical profession with my creative passions and to live a life where both sides of me can thrive.
Megan Senger: Bert Church High School
“Megan Senger is a tremendous musician who is dedicated to her trombone and her role in the Calgary Stampede Showband above most things! She works so extremely hard to develop and assist all the trombone players in the Bert Church Music Program with their own playing and has been ‘instrumental’ in their growth. She consistently pushes herself to achieve on her instrument and to master her marching requirements. Megan’s collection of ‘Trombone T-shirts’ is beyond imagination and really brings the fun into the rehearsal space. Her passion for music and the low brass is infectious and I look forward to watching her grow beyond the high school music room.”
— Corbie Dorner, music program director
What was your “aha!” moment? Fifth grade when the class had the opportunity to try out a variety of different instruments. The trombone was the one I could make the best noise on and then it just took off from there. My love for trombone very quickly led to the overall love of music and performing for others.
Where do you see yourself 10 years from now? I can see myself sticking to playing bass trombone and hopefully going on with a career in music.
Sarah Smith: W.H. Croxford High School
“Sarah Smith is a dedicated and talented visual artist who has been a standout student in the VAM Academy at W.H. Croxford throughout high school. With a deep passion for painting, she has honed her skills, particularly in portraiture, where her attention to detail and technical ability set her apart. Sarah’s artistic talent, combined with a keen eye for aesthetics, has led her to pursue interior design at Mount Royal University in Calgary this fall. With her strong foundation in visual arts and a strong sense of design, Sarah will do well in the field.”
— Vernon Gray, teacher
Who is your greatest creative influence? My greatest creative influence is the media I surround myself with, ranging from TV shows and films to music and photography. These different forms of media constantly inspire me and impact how I think about design elements in my work. They especially influence my paintings, where I experiment with ideas and styles I pick up from what I listen to and watch.
Where do you see yourself 10 years from now? In 10 years, I see myself working as an interior designer, working on exciting projects and making spaces that reflect people’s personalities and needs. I’d love to travel to gain inspiration from different cultures and eventually start my own design business.
Tristan Taylor: W.H. Croxford High School
“Tristan Taylor’s love of performance has shone through in the numerous acting roles she has fulfilled in our mainstages and one-act plays, alike. Her work shows attention to detail, dedication to character and performance development, and she demonstrates the constant desire to be better every time she steps on stage. She eagerly accepts feedback and works to integrate that feedback authentically. When not on stage, she looks to support in other ways such as stage management. This year, as a senior member of the Croxford Academy of Performing Arts, Tristan has taken on the challenge of directing a one-act play for competition. Through this process, she has shown leadership, creativity and generosity; all skills that I know will serve her as she joins the Drama Department at the University of Calgary next fall.”
— Marcy Rogers, teacher
What was your “aha!” moment? I was in Grade 10, and I had recently that year joined my school’s performing arts academy. I originally joined because I wanted to get rid of my social anxiety and step out of my comfort zone more. The thought of pursuing theatre had never really crossed my mind yet. This was until December of that year. In academy during Christmas time, we do theatre for young audiences and we perform a Christmas play. I adore the Christmas play, as the Christmas spirit and huge characters you get to experience with theatre for young audiences is truly magical and almost healing in a way. I remember it was our evening performance for our families and friends and I was on stage feeling so cheerful and content, and then I had the typical theatre-kid sensation for the first time, when you’re directly in the stage lights and it’s warm and bright, and it hit me! Right there and then I remember I almost broke character due to the realization of my voice in my head saying, “This is it. This is what I want to do for the rest of my life, I can’t imagine anything else.” I had never been so sure of something until that moment. I think back to this memory quite often. Every time I am in my school’s theatre and I achieve something new, I always recall that moment. Now, four years later, I don’t know where I would have been without that revelation.
Where do you see yourself 10 years from now? I hope I am still doing what I love, whether that be in the theatre or in the film industry! Acting is my main passion, and I want to always stay in touch with that part of me, but I also would love to explore directing more. I’ve directed theatre performances and would like to continue to do so, but I would love to direct films, too, as there are so many cool aspects of film and directing. I would also love to take up costume design in film or theatre. Lastly, I would love to be a colourist. I adore the use and meaning of colour in movies and theatre and want to grow skill in that area, as well. However, as I mentioned before, I overall just want to continuously be involved in the theatre/film world. There are so many wonderful, creative people out there that I have yet to work with, and so many things in film or theatre that I have yet to try. In 10 years, I hope I’ve met some of those wonderful people and achieved all that I have stated within this and more. I hope that, even after 10 years, I will continue to pursue these things and grow as a creative person in the performing arts.
