Investing in Arts at DHHS
When you Rally for the Red Devils, you support ARTS at Druid Hills High School!
The Druid Hills Education Foundation (DHEF) funds visual and performing arts at DHHS via a partnership with the Druid Hills Fine Arts Alliance (DHFAA). DHEF funding has helped provide licensing, production support, lighting, costumes and wireless microphones for performing arts. For visual arts, DHEF has helped fund consumable items such as clay, paint, easels, cameras, glazes and paper. DHEF has funded supplies, guest clinicians, competitions and attendance at Large Group Performance Evaluations for both orchestra and concert band. DHEF funds also support printing costs for The Runes, DHHS’s literary magazine.
By enhancing classroom instruction and supporting student organizations, DHEF provides students with opportunities to develop and showcase their talents. Below are a few examples of arts in action at DHHS.
DHHS Wins Region Title and a Trip to State in This Fall’s One Act Play Competition
In November 2026, DHHS won the regional One Act Play competition with “Hadestown - Teen Edition,” a musical showcasing the singing, dancing and technical skills of students. The play was brought to the stage by the student organization Red Devil Productions (RDP) and was their fourth consecutive year competing.
DHEF funding has played an important role in supporting their success.
“DHEF has made a meaningful difference in the growth and success of Red Devil Productions,” said Shamara Williams, drama teacher and sponsor of RDP. “Through funding for licensing, costumes, hair and makeup, equipment, and advertising, the theater program has been able to expand opportunities for students and improve the quality of productions.”
One Act gives students the opportunity to perform in a competitive environment, receive feedback from theater professionals, and strengthen acting and technical skills.
Junior Lily Hearn, who choreographed this year’s play and acted in ensemble, said theater has made a substantial impact on her life and she has found a passion for choreographing. “I find it’s definitely my strong suit and I hope I can keep doing it for our One Act shows. If I could do theater professionally, I would do it a million percent.”
RDP also garnered awards for Best Technical Execution, Francis Hennecy for Best Actress and Madelyn Ludwinski and Layla Millarker for All-Star Cast.
DHEF grants help DHHS Orchestra and Band students Achieve Musical Excellence
Orchestra practicing for their 2026 Large Group Performance Evaluations. Photo by Sage Swichtenberg.
DHHS orchestra and concert band are also supported by DHEF grants that help fund classroom instructional supplies, guest clinicians and Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) memberships. These memberships give students the opportunity to participate in district honor band, all-state auditions, and Large Group Performance Evaluations (LGPE).
This fall, violinist Max Prado passed the first rounds of GMEA’s All-State orchestra auditions and last spring DHHS orchestra students earned an “excellent” rating for their large group performance evaluation, which measures the musical achievements of school ensembles, provides constructive feedback and gives students goals to work towards.
Orchestra teacher Justin Brookins said he was particularly proud of last year’s orchestra ensemble “superior” score in sight-reading, which is especially difficult to achieve. “It was an amazing experience for our students,” said Mr. Brookins.
Additionally, the concert band, led by Michael Roper, received “superior” ratings in all categories in last spring’s LGPE performance.
Visual Arts Has Broad Reach at Druid Hills
National Arts Honor Society students work on "Moving Forward: DCSD Cluster Collaboration Project."
Did you know that nearly half of DHHS students are enrolled in a visual arts class each year? DHEF support allows for the purchase of supplemental instructional supplies — such as digital cameras, ceramic wheels, easels and much needed consumable supplies like paint, clay and paper — so teachers are able to meet the demand for these highly sought-after classes.
Donations also support student-led organizations such as National Arts Honor Society (NAHS) and Cards for Humanity that use visual arts to promote joy and connection in the community.
Most recently NAHS participated in “Moving Forward Together,” a Dekalb County School District cluster collaboration project that promotes visual arts across the district. Artwork was originally created by McClendon Elementary school students and then given to NAHS to complete.
Donate to the Druid Hills Education Foundation to support ART at DHHS.
