Boston, MA (January 20, 2022) – Boston Arts Academy (BAA), the city’s only public high school for the visual and performing arts, and Boston Arts Academy Foundation (BAA Foundation) will honor Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and Maristela Rapo, President and Founder of the non-profit Giving The Glam with its prestigious Champion Award. Presented annually, the award recognizes individuals who embody the school’s commitment to the arts, scholarship, and citizenship. Both Governor Baker and Rapo have demonstrated a strong belief in the students’ potential and in providing opportunities where talent exists.

“Both Governor Baker and Maristela Rapo exemplify the BAA Foundation’s mission, values and focus of creating equitable access to opportunity for aspiring young artists,” said BAA Foundation President and CEO Denella J. Clark. “They are truly champions for the 482 students the BAA Foundation serves. I am proud to honor their dedication to the students in our community.”

BAA Foundation’s Champion Reception, hosted annually to celebrate all the community members who have supported BAA during the year, will begin at 5:30 pm on Friday, February 4 at the Roxbury Community College Commons (Building 3, 1234 Columbus Ave., Roxbury Crossing, MA 02120). During the reception BAA will premiere a screening of the pre-recorded student performance, BAA Rocks/Bringing Back the Arts!, featuring new works by BAA students.

“The Boston Arts Academy does incredible work educating the next generation of artists, scholars and global citizens in Massachusetts,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “I am honored by this recognition, and continue to be grateful for the impact of the team at the Boston Arts Academy on our students and communities.”

Baker, the 72nd Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, has a proven track record of moving Massachusetts forward through bipartisan, results-driven leadership. He is a national leader in education, making historic investments in K-12 schools. Under his direction, the Commonwealth has increased support for vocational and technical schools and expanded early college opportunities for high school students.

In addition to honoring Governor Baker, BAA will recognize Rapo, President and Founder of Giving The Glam. The organization provides an incredible prom experience for underserved urban and suburban high school seniors covering the cost of all attire and accessories for students who couldn’t otherwise afford to participate in their prom.

“I am beyond humbled and grateful that Boston Arts Academy Foundation has chosen to honor me with this award,” said Rapo. “Boston Arts Academy is a safe place full of opportunities for such talented youth. Many of the BAA students I work with speak about how BAA has been a place that has helped them grow as an artist-scholar and find so many opportunities for growth. I am honored to be able to work with BAA and their amazingly talented students.”

Rapo was born in an underserved area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. When she was 18 years old, she left Brazil and moved to Europe where she pursued her passion for fashion. She was the former proprietor of two Boston based high-end boutiques, Wolford and Giuseppe Zanotti. After years in the fashion industry, she is using her expertise to make a difference and give back to all communities. In 2014 she created and established Giving The Glam.

Previous BAA Champion Award honorees include former First Lady of Massachusetts Diane Patrick, former Boston Mayor and current United States Secretary of Labor Martin J. Walsh, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, and Attorney General Maura Healey.

Boston Arts Academy’s performance of BAA Rocks/Bringing Back the Arts! is a student performance offering an inspiring take on some of the most evocative music performances in Boston’s legendary rock history, including Aerosmith and Boston. The production will also feature new works by BAA students during the pandemic, through their art.

“We are excited to feature new and remarkable work by BAA students,” said William McLaughlin, BAA Rocks Director at Boston Arts Academy. “This has been a tough year for the BAA community as a whole, but our students continue to persevere. This work showcases BAA students’ effort to survive, conquer and flourish during the pandemic through their art.”

Tickets are on sale now. For information/tickets to the Champion Award reception and student performances of BAA Rocks/Bringing Back the Arts!, visit https://bostonartsacademy.org/foundation/event/champion-reception.

The BAA Rocks/Bringing Back the Arts! student performance will be recorded and premiere as a screening during the Champion Reception on Friday, February 4. BAA Rocks/Bringing Back the Arts! will then be aired online on Saturday, February 5. This is a ticketed show and tickets can be purchased at https://givebutter.com/BAArocks.