Stevensville, MD
Kent Island High School (KIHS) continues its legacy of excellence in inclusive arts education as senior Mark Monroe and sophomore Aubrey Kline earn 2nd and 3rd place in The Arc of Maryland’s “Together We’re Better” Art Contest—marking the third consecutive year that KIHS students have claimed top awards in this prestigious statewide competition. Their winning artwork will be published in The Arc of Maryland’s annual coloring book, which will be on display at ArtScene 2025 at KIHS on May 1st.
View video highlights of the awards ceremony at the Graduate Hotel in Annapolis here: https://youtu.be/NEatQsjJkPQ
This milestone is further amplified by the recent recognition of KIHS art teacher Andrea Schulte, who was honored in spring 2024 with The Arc of Maryland’s Statewide School Inclusion Award for her unwavering commitment to championing students with disabilities and fostering a culture of empathy and accessibility in the arts.
For Schulte, this mission has become deeply personal. After suffering profound hearing loss this past year, she has become a member of the disability community herself—an experience that has only strengthened her passion for making art education more inclusive, while inspiring students to embrace their varied abilities. Her leadership in The Arc’s “Together We’re Better” initiative has not only provided students with intellectual and developmental disabilities greater opportunities in the arts but has also helped all students develop greater compassion, understanding, and inclusivity.
Michael Bell, QACPS Fine Arts Supervisor, accompanied Schulte to The Arc of Maryland Awards in support of her and her students. He said Schulte has gained momentum as a state arts leader, presenting at numerous conferences on empowering student voice. “Andrea’s dedication—while navigating her own hearing loss journey—is nothing short of inspiring. She leads by example, showing students that their voices, stories, and creativity matter,” said Bell.
Each year that KIHS students have earned awards in this contest, the monetary prizes presented to the school have been used by Schulte’s National Art Honor Society to host an annual art party for students with developmental disabilities—further reinforcing KIHS’s dedication to inclusive arts education.
“Mark and Aubrey have used their artistic talent to make a real impact, advocating for students with developmental disabilities through their work. We’re proud of their accomplishments and excited to see them recognized at the state level,” said KIHS Principal Dan Harding.
The entire QACPS community celebrates these remarkable achievements and invites the public to experience Monroe and Kline’s award-winning artwork firsthand at ArtScene 2025 on May 1, 2025 at Kent Island High School.