2021-2022 Ambassadors | 2020-2021 Ambassadors | 2019-2020 Ambassadors | 2018-2019 Ambassadors | 2017-2018 Ambassadors | 2016-2017 Ambassadors
2022-2023 Ambassadors
Zachary Elias ‘23
Major: Economics
Minor: Art History
Why do you think ATB is important for Holy Cross?
I think it is important to have a vibrant and flourishing arts community on campus, and I think ATB is a necessary part in achieving that.
Serey Kremer ‘23
Major: Theater
Minor: Creative Writing
What, if any, new insights did you have about the arts because of your participation in ATB?
I found myself paying attention to the audience a lot more than I used to. It was interesting to see what resonated with them and the type of questions they asked during the talk backs. It made me really want to explain how much work, effort, and flexibility goes into the performances we hosted.
Michaela McHugh ‘23
Major: Psychology
Minor: Neuroscience
What was your favorite part of being an Ambassador and why?
My favorite part of being an ATB ambassador was being encouraged to go to performances. I found that having these performances built into my schedule allowed me to take breaks and enjoy art which I found beneficial when I needed a break from doing purely academics.
John O’Keefe ‘25
Major: English
Minor: Business, Ethics, & Society and Rhetoric & Composition
What residency did you enjoy the most and why?
My favorite residency from the spring semester has been Manual Cinema, as the in person class workshop that allowed students to engage in a fun and extremely unique art form was amazing to watch. It was especially great to see students take over the performance from the artists.
Sasha Paradise ‘24
Major: Economics with a Business Fundamentals Certificate
What excites you most about being an ATB Ambassador?
It excites me most that as an ATB Ambassador, I am an advocate for the importance of art exposure and creative expression. The work that ambassadors do helps bring art and inspiration to the lives of the HC community. I am very excited to bring our first artist to campus this year and have an opportunity to enjoy the art!
2021-2022 Ambassadors
Lorna Doherty ‘22
Major: Political Science
Minor: Film
What excites you most about being an ATB Ambassador?
The most exciting part about being an ambassador is getting to interact with the artists, as they always come from really interesting backgrounds.
What ATB event or performance from Fall 2021 did you enjoy the most and why?
The performance I enjoyed the most this Fall 2021 was the Terrence Blanchard concert for the Presidential Inauguration. It was amazing to be in Mechanics Hall, and the performers were so talented. It was my first time hearing jazz, and I loved it!
Maggie Hannick ‘23
Majors: Health Studies and Mandarin Chinese
What residency did you enjoy the most from Spring semester 2022 and why?
I loved working with Cyro Baptista at the Worcester PopUp and BrickBox because it allowed Holy Cross members to engage with his band and the community of Worcester. I enjoyed participating in the workshops, meeting the band members, using the instruments, and seeing the band perform. I felt like this was the perfect example of bringing community members together through music and art.
What was your favorite part of being an Ambassador and why?
I enjoy being an Ambassador because it allows me to uniquely experience the arts at Holy Cross and beyond. I loved participating in the various ATB events and seeing them unfold from the beginning stages to the reflection of them.
Daniela Henriquez ‘22
Major: International Studies
Minor: Education
Why do you think ATB is important for Holy Cross?
I believe that ATB is important for Holy Cross because it opens doors for students and faculty to know about the arts and the work of many renowned artists. ATB brings contemporary and very different artists from around the world with very unique and innovative visions. This allows students and faculty to reflect and develop their creativity.
What excites you most about being an ATB Ambassador?
Getting to know the different artists and being able to experience life behind the scenes is what excites me the most about being an ATB Ambassador. I think it is fascinating to see how artists prepare themselves and the space before a show or a presentation.
Serey Kremer ‘23
Major: Theater
Minor: Creative Writing
What excites you most about being an ATB Ambassador?
The thing that excited me the most about being an ATB Ambassador is getting to see the artists up close and seeing how every performance is put together and the amount of work that is put into it.
What ATB event or performance from Fall 2021 did you enjoy the most and why?
The Bill T. Jones performance was by far my favorite. I haven’t seen a lot of dance performances, but this one in particular was very unexpected for me. It was amazing to be so close to the dancers and see them really interact within the space around them. I have never been that close to any kind of performers, and I thought it was a great set up that kept the audience's attention throughout.
Michaela McHugh ‘23
Major: Psychology
Minor: Neuroscience
Why do you think ATB is important for Holy Cross?
I believe that ATB is important in order to connect Holy Cross to other outside communities through the use of the arts. As well as provide a resource to be able to experience forms of art that we have never explored before. Since I have joined ATB, I have noticed that I have gained the opportunity to participate in new forms of art and been able to explore communities outside of Holy Cross.
What excites you most about being an ATB Ambassador?
I am most excited to continue to be able to explore new forms of art that I have not been exposed to before. I am also excited to meet new people interested in the arts and be able to witness how artists develop their art forms. I am excited to learn more about what it takes to develop and perform an art piece. There are so many details as part of art performance that I did not even realize prior to joining ATB, and I am excited to learn more.
2020-2021 Ambassadors
Chloë Burkett ‘21
Major: Psychology
Minor: Neuroscience
Why do you think ATB is important for Holy Cross?
ATB is important for Holy Cross because it acts as a space to bring together students, faculty, and community members from different backgrounds to understand a shared experience. As a college student in Worcester, MA, ATB plays an important role in facilitating opportunities to share global experiences and perspectives in a meaningful way.
Lorna Doherty ‘22
Major: Political Science
Minor: Film
Describe a moment when you saw the impact of the arts.
It isn’t one particular moment, but in my role as Media and Documentation Coordinator, I read all of the responses from the surveys ATB conducts after performances, and when students connect the event to events in their own lives it is really touching. Last year when Silkroad performed the ‘Falling Out of Time’ concert, a lot of students related to the feeling of loss that the performance was based around; this is the essence of ATB, which highlights how artistic expression touches everyone, not just artists.
Maggie Hannick ‘23
Majors: Health Studies and Mandarin Chinese
Why do you think ATB is important for Holy Cross?
ATB is one of the most unique parts of Holy Cross because it brings students, faculty, the community, and artists from around the world together. It allows anyone to participate in the arts and find joy, inspiration, and hope from it. From music to visual art to dance to technology, ATB artists are impressive and one-of-a-kind, and engaging with ATB enables the Holy Cross community to get to know these talented and passionate artists.
Allison Leahy ‘24
Major: History
Concentration: Latin American, Latinx, and Caribbean Studies
What event or performance this year are you most looking forward to and why?
I’m looking forward to the Massively Distributed event because I think it is so cool that any student could submit what sounds or visuals represent their experiences on campus, and we will be putting them all together and making art of it. In these hard times of the pandemic, it’s important to see how the arts can bring joy into people’s everyday lives and this event will show the joy of little sounds and how they can be turned into art.
2019-2020 Ambassadors
Julia Cronin ‘20
Majors: English and Psychology
What excites you most about being an ATB Ambassador?
As a senior I am very excited to use my last semester at Holy Cross as a means to engage with ATB events and artists who share their unique talents and experiences with our student body.
Lorna Doherty '22
Major: Political Science
Minor: Film
Why do you think ATB is important for Holy Cross?
I think ATB is important for Holy Cross students to expand their experience and to both observe, and in some ways, immerse themselves in different cultures, traditions, and experiences.
Maggie Hannick ‘23
Majors: Health Studies and Mandarin Chinese
What event or performance from Spring 2020 did you most enjoy and why?
Both of the Silkroad Ensemble productions—Falling Out of Time and Percussion All-Stars—were phenomenal, and I thoroughly was amazed at the talent and beauty in this musical group as well as the stories they were telling.
Clarabel Smith ‘20
Major: English
Why do you think ATB is important for Holy Cross?
I think bringing in arts and music from different cultures and different experiences is incredibly important for exposing Holy Cross students to new things, for keeping their minds and horizons open, and connecting people.
2018-2019 Ambassadors
Mickenzie Kamm '19 (Lead)
Major: English
Minor: Religious Studies
Concentration: Peace & Conflict Studies
"Arts Transcending Borders has taught me lessons that are applicable to professional life and has led me to discover what I would like to pursue in the future. I had no idea that Arts Administration was my dream job until I started as an Ambassador. Working with the ATB family has opened my eyes to the future and has allowed me to grow into a professional. I have learned how to act around an artist, how to be a good hostess, and how to accommodate an artist's needs. This summer, I was an intern at Jacob's Pillow [Dance Festival] where I learned even more about the field of Arts Administration and saw just how much Arts Transcending Borders has prepared me for the future. As my time on the Hill and as an Ambassador comes to a close, I can see how much ATB has grown at Holy Cross and value the many ways that it has positively impacted my life. I will always cherish my time as an Arts Transcending Borders Ambassador."
Ajah Eills '21
Major: Biology
Minor: Deaf Studies
Why do you think ATB is important for Holy Cross? ATB helps provide a thriving art community on campus. Art is central to culture, and without ATB, Holy Cross would not be the creative and welcoming community it is today! Arts Transcending Borders also provides space for reflection and growth for students throughout their events. On this very busy campus, that is a luxury!
What excites you most about being an ATB Ambassador this year? I am very excited to meet the various artists ATB is working with this year. I love discussing art and learning new things, and this position gives me an opportunity to do both!
Describe a moment you saw the impact of the arts... A few years ago, I got the opportunity to have Thanksgiving at a music studio owned by Vinx Parrette, a close family friend. It was bitterly cold that year, and a storm had caused the heat to go out in all local houses. Vinx immediately offered up his studio as a replacement setting, and so we all piled into the car with whatever we could scrounge up, and headed over. It was one of the best Thanksgivings I've ever had. Although we didn't know everyone there, we were all brought together by love, laughter, and music. Music facilitates bonding in a way that nothing else can, and I am so glad that I got to be a part of it. The arts (and Vinx) brought us together in a way that could never be replicated.
Laura Garcia '19
Major: International Studies
Concentration: Peace & Conflict Studies
Why do you think ATB is important for Holy Cross? ATB has the ability to tie in global perspectives using art as its platform. As a society that can become divisive at times, a platform such as this one is essential in providing opportunities for conversation and reflection upon the message art coveys.
What excites you about being an ATB Ambassador this year? I am personally very excited to learn how administration works in the arts and to see the way these upcoming performances are understood and appreciated in our Holy Cross community.
Describe a moment you saw the impact of the arts... As a musician, I have seen a lot of amazing work being done through free arts education. During my time in Peru, I was able to volunteer at a non-profit organization called Sinfonia por el Peru that offered free instruments and lessons to underserved students, and this helped foster a sense of community for them. Art can create impact in all its forms and this was one of the main reasons I decided to become an Ambassador.
Meaghan Lanctot '21
Majors: English / Flim Studies
Why do you think ATB is important for Holy Cross? ATB is important for Holy Cross as it gives students access to not only incredible performances, but the ability to talk to real artists in person. Being able to talk to someone who works in the arts industry is vital for understanding how the arts can fit into your life once you leave campus. These kinds of introspective conversations are what make ATB so unique and valuable to Holy Cross.
What excites you most about being an ATB Ambassador this year? I'm excited about being able to work with my fellow Ambassadors in cultivating a creative and fun environment for ATB!
Describe a moment you saw the impact of the arts... When I saw Beyoncés September Vogue cover was photographed by a 23-year-old photographer named Tyler Mitchell. Seeing someone so close to my own age accomplishing this huge achievement really inspires me to keep pursuing what I want to do in the arts.
2017-2018 Ambassadors
Mickenzie Kamm '19 (Lead)
Major: English
Minor: Religious Studies
Concentration: Peace & Conflict Studies
What is your favorite place on campus? Rehm Library
People might be surprised to know... I am terrified of cats!
Why do you think ATB is important for Holy Cross? While bringing art to life on campus and making the arts become a large part of the HC community, ATB also brings artists to campus that provide unique avenues for the discussion and meditation of larger global issues, whether they be political, environmental, or social.
What excites you about being an ATB Ambassador? As the only returning Ambassador, I am most excited to work with a new team and to build friendships with the new Ambassadors just as I did with last year's group!
Describe a moment you saw the impact of the arts... Last year I witnessed how powerful art can be during the ATB event "Home Within." I saw and felt the impact of the performance within the audience and myself. No words were spoken but yet such an important topic was being discussed through both visual art and music. I saw how art is a way to spark important conversation regarding major global issues.
Ryan DeGraw '19
Major: Economics
Minor: Environmental Studies
What is your favorite place on campus? CB2, in Stein
People might be surprised to know... I am a big Bruce Springsteen fan!
Why do you think ATB is important for Holy Cross? The arts are applicable to every major, minor, and concentration. They possess a very unique ability to bring people from completely different backgrounds together to share an understanding of something magnificent. It is extremely important that programs such as ATB exist so that these opportunities happen with increased frequency.
What excites you about being an ATB Ambassador? I am beyond excited to have the Silk Road Ensemble on campus for 3 years! I have had the privilege of seeing the Ensemble play at my former high school and of listening to many talks given by Yo-Yo Ma. I am constantly listening to their music while I study.
Describe a moment you saw the impact of the arts... I have always appreciated the arts, but it was not until nearly four years ago, while seeing a play in San Francisco, that I realized the power of art to depict issues that relate to social justice. The play was part of a festival that centered on the theme of immigration. It was not particularly famous, but it showed a very real portrayal of the problems that immigrants experience in San Francisco. It was while watching this play that I realized the arts have a unique ability to call attention to problems in society.
Katie Lovell '20
Major: English / Art History
What is your favorite place on campus? Campion House, especially in the wintertime
People might be surprised to know... I am allergic to chocolate!
Why do you think ATB is important for Holy Cross? ATB is important for Holy Cross students to experience because the programming exposes them to a different way to understand a concept. Through art, students may realize connections that they would not have through traditional forms, like a lecture, because the subject is being presented in such a different way from how they've seen it before. ATB provides this access to the arts to all students on campus.
What excites you about being an ATB Ambassador? Although I am an Art History major, I hadn't had a lot of exposure to performance art before coming to Holy Cross. However, my experience with ATB changed that. I found the programs that ATB did last year to be incredibly interesting and engaging. I look forward to working to advertise and construct these programs so that other students will attend and leave with a new sense of understanding or interest, just like I felt.
Describe a moment you saw the impact of the arts... It amazes me how much the arts have been spread through social media in the past few years. One of the best examples of this is the Humans of New York Facebook page, a photojournalism series of portraits that tells the stories of everyday people. I think that this is one of the most powerful ways that the arts act as an important tool. It spreads awareness and empathy through its forms to convey messages and share people's viewpoints.
Edith Mensah Otabil '19
Major: Biology
Concentration: Premed
What is your favorite place on campus? Hogan 4th floor
People might be surprised to know... I moved from Ghana to America in 2012 when I was 15!
Why do you think ATB is important for Holy Cross? There is no doubt that Holy Cross has a rigorous academic curriculum. Many times, students cannot afford to have a proper social life due to their workload. ATB provides students with a stress-free atmosphere and a break from the challenging academic nature to enjoy arts in many forms from world-renowned artists.
What excites you about being an ATB Ambassador? I'm really excited to be an ATB Ambassador because I get to share my passion for arts with the Holy Cross community. I also look forward to meeting and assisting the artists and performers behind the scenes.
Describe a moment you saw the impact of the arts... Last semester, one of the events ATB presented was The Nile Project. About 14 musicians from different East African countries along the Nile river came together to create music. Even though they did not speak the same language, they performed in harmony, using music as their communication. It showed how the power of art can unite people and bring a sense of togetherness.
Graham Offermann '19
Major: English
Minor: Anthropology
What is your favorite place on campus? Rehm Library
People might be surprised to know... I grew up outside of the United States!
Why do you think ATB is important for Holy Cross? Exposure to the arts is essential for any person, especially a college student, to develop a strong ability to handle, and understand, social and political differences. Arts Transcending Borders presents that opportunity to the Holy Cross community.
What excites you about being an ATB Ambassador? In addition to being part of an amazing team, I am excited to help bring some of the best artists to campus, and to introduce a new way of thinking to the many students who have little experience in the arts.
Describe a moment you saw the impact of the arts... I first realized how impactful art can be when I was in elementary school. In my youth, my family moved from country to country quite frequently, and being able to adapt quickly to new cultures was a necessity. Similar to how math is a universal language, I found that they only consistent factor in each environment was my peers' interest in the arts — drawing and music. It brings people together and stimulates healthy conversation. Music is particularly interesting because it is so easy to understand and appreciate.
2016-2017 Ambassadors
Mickenzie Kamm '19 (Lead)
"ATB has been a great way for me to get more in touch with my passion for the arts and to be more involved in the campus community. ATB has allowed me to work on my leadership skills while working with a great ATB team who have quickly become some of my good friends! I value the experiences I have acquired through ATB and the bond I have made with my fellow ATB Ambassadors. I am proud of the work I have done as an ATB Ambassador and am passionate about the vast opportunities ATB presents me and the rest of the Holy Cross community."
Margaret Goddard '19
"As an ATB Ambassador, I have had the chance to witness the artist's process first-hand and act as the link between the artist and the audience. Each project had me thinking creatively about unique ways to promote and excite the community. Not only have I learned how to problem solve, work in a team, and create design content, I have been lucky enough to learn from artists and performers backstage and think deeply about what it really means to transcend borders."
Maria Claudia Schubert-Fontes '19
"ATB brings artists of diverse backgrounds and mediums to our Holy Cross campus community and allows students the opportunity to experience the talents of some of the industry's most well-regarded figures. The performances touch on a variety of themes that intersect with all majors and concentrations in some way. As an Anthropology major, I have found that much of what I learn in the classroom is complimented by my work in ATB. The experience has not only exposed me to a wide array of artistic mediums but has also introduced me to new perspectives and approaches towards the controversial. Being able to engage my campus community through ATB has been a great pleasure because it has given me the opportunity to extend past my common areas of interest and explore new facets of an issue. As an Ambassador, I have been able to see firsthand the ways art can more fully express the humanistic side of an issue. I find that the more I learn within my classes, the more I search for an artistic interpretation to further its meaning."
Lauren Wilson '19
"I love working with ATB because it is an organization that was created to integrate and emphasize the role of the arts across all aspects of the Holy Cross experience. As an Ambassador, I get to help facilitate the campus's relationship with the arts, which is something that I am personally very passionate about. My experiences with ATB have presented me with opportunities to learn directly from world-renowned artists that I never would have imagined being a part of. This involvement with artists, and planning events centered on them, prompts me to think outside of the box and learn new skills, but most importantly it has shown me the real-world application of my coursework and that doing something you love can be so much fun."