Scottsdale high school student earns Jeff Cross Bronze Bell Award

Several hundred people packed the Cactus Shadows High School Fine Arts Center Monday, May 12, to cheer on more than 100 third- through 12th-grade students who were recognized for their outstanding achievements in visual arts during the Sonoran Arts League’s 29th annual Celebration of Art and the 45th Jeff Cross Memorial.

The event included students from seven CCUSD elementary, middle and high schools as well as students from Annunciation Catholic School and Quality Interactive Montessori.

Students were recognized by their teachers on stage and each student received a gift bag of art supplies provided by the Sonoran Arts League to nurture their creative spirit over the summer.

In addition, $6,000 total in scholarships were awarded to three students to help them on their artistic journey.

Bronze Bell Award winner

The awards ceremony culminated with the presentation of the prestigious 45th annual Jeff Cross Bronze Bell Award.

Cactus Shadows High School student Ella Miller of North Scottsdale was called to the stage and presented with the bell and given accolades for her acrylic, oil pastel and Indian ink paintings and drawings.

Miller, 18, moved to Arizona from Maryland with her family three years ago. She said it was a big honor to receive the prestigious award.

“When we moved here, the community was welcoming, and I enjoyed meeting so many others who were passionate about art,” Miller said. “I was honored to be nominated this year, and I felt so happy and grateful to be recognized for my artwork.”

Miller credits her family with inspiring her to pursue her passion for art as well as teachers from school.

“My mother is very creative, and art has always been a part of my life. I am also grateful to my art teacher, Dana Parsons, for her support and guidance,” she said.

In late 2024, Miller planned and created a colorful mural for the Sonoran Arts League at their Stagecoach Village studio as part of a project to earn her Eagle Scout badge.

She is looking forward to starting her freshman year as a Barrett Honors student at Arizona State University in August where she will major in Digital Animation.

“I have a much better appreciation for how technical digital animation is, but I enjoy the challenge of problem solving, and my goal with storytelling is to create something super spectacular,” she said. “My dream is to direct my own film or to contribute content to some of the best animation companies, such as Pixar, DreamWorks or work on gaming projects.”

Cross was a bronze artist and a founding member of the Cave Creek Craft Council, which later became the Sonoran Arts League.

The Celebration of Art awards ceremony is sponsored by the Sonoran Arts League, Cave Creek Unified School District’s Educational Community Service, Steve and Lori Greenberg and the Kiwanis Club of Carefree.

To learn more, visit  sonoranartsleague.org or call 480-575-6624.