Arizona Arts will celebrate the Class of 2025 on Dec. 18 at Crowder Hall, honoring students whose work has shaped the creative life of the College of Fine Arts.
Selected for their artistic excellence, leadership and drive to push their disciplines forward, this year’s Outstanding Seniors represent the very best of the College of Fine Arts. :
- Sela Margalit | School of Art | STORY
- Maya King | School of Music | STORY
- Kelsie Ramos | CFA / School of Theatre, Film & Television | STORY
- Graduation Ceremony | Dec. 18 | 7p at Crowder Hall
Sela Margalit
School of Art
BFA in Studio Art (Illustration, Design, Animation)
Sela Margalit is an exceptionally talented and ambitious student, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration, Design and Animation with a double minor in Film and Television and Art History.
Margalit was nominated by Assistant Professor Nicole Antebi, who noted that she sought out every opportunity in animation and consistently challenged herself within the degree program. Outside the classroom, Margalit served as the Comics and Illustration Editor for the Daily Wildcat and worked as an animation intern for Arizona Illustrated at Arizona Public Media.
She also contributed to numerous animation projects, including “Small Seeds; Big Change,” a CUES-supported initiative and class collaboration with Borderlands Restoration Network (BRN). In addition, Margalit volunteered to represent her class—alongside BRN Education Director Jordan Sene—during a Q&A at The Loft Cinema with School of Theatre, Film & Television documentary students at the “What’s Up, Docs?” fall semester showcase. She further expanded her practice by participating in The Wonder Studio summer residency at Biosphere II in 2024.
“With the support of my teachers, peers, and friends, I’ve had unforgettable experiences that have shaped who I am and made me proud to be a Wildcat for life,” said Margalit.
Her plans after graduation include honing her animation skills and freelancing.
Maya King
School of Music
BM in Music Education
Maya King has demonstrated exceptional talent, dedication and leadership in and outside of the classroom, all qualities that exemplify an Outstanding Senior.
Graduating with a Bachelor of Music Education with a vocal emphasis, she was nominated by School of Music Professor Dr. Kristin Dauphinais and Associate Professor of Practice, Dr. Karin Nolan.
King has earned cash prizes in choral competitions, is a member of the University of Arizona Folk Ensemble, and received the “Outstanding Future Educator Award” from the Arizona Music Educators Association in 2025. They have also held several leadership roles, including serving as assistant stage manager for Arizona Opera Productions, treasurer of the Symphonic Choir, and vocal section leader for the Folk Rock Ensemble.
Under the supervision of Choral Director Jeffery Evans, King is student-teaching at Catalina Foothills High School. In addition, they studied abroad in Australia in 2023, where they completed an ethnomusicology research project.
After graduation, King will continue to teach choir at a high school level and pursue a Master of Music in music education, with a research focus in Student/Teacher Wellness and eventually will seek a PhD in music education.
“I was able to blossom as an artist, academic, and human being,” King said. “I was able to find many opportunities to bond within and outside of my cohort. The School of Music, College of Fine Arts, and U of A are all inextricably linked, and I am thoroughly indebted to the school, college, and university to which I belong to.”
Kelsie Ramos
CFA / School of Theatre, Film & Television
BA in Film & Television
Kelsie Ramos is described as a student with a deep well of thirst for creative research, leadership and community service.
Ramos has held multiple leadership roles at the University of Arizona, including serving as co-president of the Arizona Arts Ambassadors, working as a resident assistant, and contributing to the New Directions Festival as a dramaturg and associate producer. She has also worked as a data analyst for the Office of Early Academic Outreach.
She is the first undergraduate student to participate in the international Debut Dramaturgy Panel at the 2025 Binational Literary Managers & Dramaturgs of the Americas Conference. She also received the “Early Career Dramaturgy Award” at the regional convening of the 2025 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and served as dramaturg for Rick Werner’s “The Climate Project.”
Her nominator, School of Theatre, Film & Television Professor Elaine Romero, describes Ramos as a dramaturg who stands at the future of where the field might head, one who embraces its artistic and generative possibilities while remaining grounded in rigorous dramaturgical research.
“I have learned to bloom where I’m planted and use my available resources to not only survive, but flourish during my time at the University of Arizona,” Ramos said. “I have made connections, friends, and memories to last me a lifetime. I am overjoyed to be joining the esteemed members of the University of Arizona alumni.”
Her post grad plans include pursuing a Master of Fine Arts degree in dramaturgy and career in a theatre that prioritizes social justice. But following graduation, she has a six-month internship at Walt Disney World, serving as a tour guide on the Kilimanjaro Safari ride in the Animal Kingdom.
Past Awardees
- 2024 Fall … Outstanding Seniors
- 2024 Spring … Outstanding Seniors, GTA
- 2023 Fall … Outstanding Seniors
- 2023 Spring … Outstanding Seniors, GTA
- 2022 Fall … Outstanding Seniors
- 2022 Spring … Outstanding Seniors, GTA
- 2021 Fall … Outstanding Seniors
- 2021 Spring … Outstanding Seniors, GTA