Nicole Hoppe Wins the 2018 Founders Cup Award!

Congratulations to Upper School Fine and Performing Arts Department Chair Nicole Hoppe, who was named the recipient of the 2018 Founders' Cup for Teaching Excellence. Presented annually by the Alumni Association, the Founders' Cup is based on nominations from all MKA constituencies. The award honors a full-time faculty member who exemplifies the highest levels of teaching and who contributes to the well-being of the MKA community, both in and out of school.

Nicole Hoppe finished her 10th Year of Teaching and served her last year as Chair of the Fine and Performing Arts Department at the Upper School. Nicole oversees all Performing Arts at the Upper School and every year the Winter Musical is Directed, Choreographed & Produced by Nicole. In addition, Nicole produces and directs "Arts Under the Stars" and the Fall Play and works on the production of the Spring Play. During Nicole's tenure at MKA, the F&PA program at the Upper School has seen dramatic growth and improvement and her work with MKA students has received several prestigious Nominations and Awards. Most recently, Nicole's Fall 2017 Play, Neil Simon's "Rumors", won the MSU "New Heights Award" at its Theatre Night Awards. In addition, the Winter Musical is consistently recognized by PaperMill Playhouse in its "Rising Star" Awards often with multiple nominations.

Alumni Council President Jaclyn Spedaliere '00 presented the award at the end-of-year faculty meeting, on June 13, 2018.