Renaissance Man: Matthew Connolly '09 earns top honor at Arts Awards Night

Matthew Connolly '09 is quick to tell you what being a great artist and the U.S. Marine Corps have in common.

"Intensity," says Connolly, who plans to pursue a career path in the Marines in the future. "They both require mental intensity, although one is certainly more physical."

Intensity is what made Matthew Connolly, in the eyes of the Catholic Memorial Arts Department, this year's Renaissance Artist Award recipient. The top arts honor bestowed at the annual Arts Award Night, the Renaissance Artist award is given in honor of a student who devotes himself wholeheartedly to the arts in his years at CM.

For Connolly, who was given the honor by CM President Paul Sheff and Arts Department chair Craig Spaner at the April 28 ceremony, arts has become more than a diversion. In addition to being an award-winning Forensics student, a member of the Yearbook and Newspaper clubs, and an artist in his spare time, Connolly has taken to the stage.

Connolly has performed in three CM productions, but cites this year's role as Yeshu in From the Memoirs of Pontius Pilate as the most challenging. "Every aspect of the play was difficult," he said. "But it was so much fun. I wish I could do it again!"

Others honored on April 28 included:

Forensics
Distinguished Service Award: Brian Murphy '09
Distinguished Service Award: Gregory Sabina '09
Distinguished Service Award: Mark Macchi '09
Distinguished Service Award: John Labelle '09
Distinguished Service Award: Michael Giovanucci '09

Yearbook
Excellence in Yearbook Design: Chris Bradley '09
Excellence in Yearbook Design: Cam Dunbar '09
Excellence in Yearbook Design: Brennan Williams '09

High School Art
Emerging Artist Award: Elliot Simmons-Uvin '11
Computer Graphic Design: Seunjin Hong '11
Studio Art 2 Award: Jake Uminski '11
Studio Art 3 Award: Robert Kane '09
Proficient Artist Award: John Repucci '09

Middle School Art
Outstanding Art Club Member: Brandon Erwin '13
Outstanding Art Club Member: Kyle Swardstrom '13
Outstanding Art Club Member: Pascal Dalusma '13

Newspaper
Editor-in-Chief: T.J. Bryan '10
Lead Columnist: Eric Butts '10
Features Editor: Brandon Pierce '10

Drama
Director’s Choice: Matthew Connolly '09
Trouper: Cuinn Hanscom '11
Stage Manager: John Connolly '11
Character and Improvisation Award: David McDonald '09

CMTV
Broadcast Journalist for Overall Excellence: Edward Horan '09
The Brother Oxx Award: Jay Reardon '09
The Technical and Creative Eye Award: Christopher Masterson '10

Music
The First Chair Award: Sean Steinberg '10
Excellence in Music - Vocal: Samuel McGee '10
Excellence in Music - Instrumental: Michael Murphy '10
Excellence in Music - Instrumental: J. Connor Keehnle '11
Excellence in Musical Theatre: Patrick Simas '10
The Conductor’s Award: James Myers '09
The Conductor’s Award: David Jackson '09
The Berj Zamkochian Award for Overall Excellence in Music: Sung-Eun Park '10

The Knight of the Realm Award: Br. Kirk Phelps, C.F.C.