Wesleyan inducts Sterling Feininger ‘13, Isabella Mateu ‘14, Vivian McCoy ‘15, and Richard Staz into the Fine Arts Circle of Honor

On Thursday, March 30, Wesleyan School inducted Sterling Feininger ‘13, Isabella Mateu ‘14, Vivian McCoy ‘15, and Richard Staz into the Fine Arts Circle of Honor.  
It was a joy to celebrate our Circle of Honor inductees; we got to reminisce on their fine arts contributions to Wesleyan while recognizing the fine arts experiences and skills that they carry with them in their current endeavors. I love that this event coincided with the Visual Art Exhibit opening and the opening of the high school theater production of “Little Women.” It was an evening that connected the past, present, and future of Wesleyan fine arts and the people that make it so special.” 

While at Wesleyan, Feininger was involved in the band from 2005-2010, marching band from 2007-2012 (where she played the flute and participated in the color guard), and the winter guard from 2007-2012. She was the captain of the color and winter guard in 2010 and 2012. After Wesleyan, Feininger attended Wake Forest University where she earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry. During her time at Wake Forest, she was a member of the Spirit of the Old Gold and Black Marching band. Feininger went on to earn a doctoral degree at UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy and is currently a pharmacy resident. 

Mateu received the Jane Burns Excellence in the Art Award her senior year at Wesleyan and was a SCAD Junior 2D Challenge finalist with a concentration in photography. She also designed the class homecoming banner each year, as well as a football banner honoring Zach Young, head of school emeritus, during his last year as the head of school, and she was a student vendor at the Wesleyan Artist Market in 2014. After Wesleyan, Mateu attended the University of Georgia and earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and went on to earn a doctorate degree from the Medical College of Georgia in 2022. She serves in the Prisma Health Obstetrics and Gynecology residency program at the University of South Caroline, Greenville. She is working as a first-year OB-GYN resident, and she “adores her job!” 

McCoy was involved in the marching band at Wesleyan, and she served as the drumline captain in 2013 and 2014. She was a member of the concert band and percussion ensemble from 2011-2015, as well as the winter drumline in 2011 and 2013. Additionally, she managed the winter guard from 2009-2015. She was a percussionist for the musical “How to Succeed in Business” in 2015 and participated in the Wesleyan Artist Market in 2015. After Wesleyan, she attended the University of Virginia and earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with a minor in mathematics. She participated in the Cavalier Marching Band from 2015-2018. She was drumline captain in 2017 and 2018 and marched in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. McCoy was also a member of the University of Virginia basketball band from 2016-2019, a member of the percussion ensemble, and a member of the Wind Ensemble Liberty University Indoor Drumline. She currently works for DPR as a project engineer. 

Richard Staz served Wesleyan for 23 years in both the facilities and theatre departments. When speaking on his behalf, Chad Simmons, drama teacher, described Staz as joyful and humble. 

“Richard is a walking depiction of humility. The man did so much for so many of us, but never expected and, in fact, often shunned any credit for it,” stated Simmons. 

We are so proud of you Sterling, Isabella, Vivian, and Richard! 
Back