While American Heritage has many alumni who have become notable athletes, several former Fine Arts students grew up to earn their fair share of the spotlight.
Camila Mendes (class of 2012)
Best known for her role as Veronica Lodge on “Riverdale,” Mendes may be the first name that comes to mind when we think of famous alumni. While at Heritage, Mendes spent most of her time in theatre, acting in productions such as “Aladdin,” “Bye, Bye Birdie,” “Peter Pan” and “The King and I.” After graduating from Heritage in 2012, Mendes went on to attend New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts alongside her co-star Cole Sprouse. “Riverdale” served as Mendes’s breakout role, leading her to star in films such as “The New Romantic” and “The Perfect Date” and music videos for The Chainsmokers and Maggie Rogers.
Chandler Lovelle (class of 2013)
Not surprisingly, Lovelle spent the vast majority her Heritage days in the Fine Arts building, playing Peter Pan in “Peter Pan,” Anna in “The King and I” and more.
After earning her BFA in musical theatre from Texas State University, Lovelle moved to the Big Apple to pursue musical theater, film and television. After realizing that her passions lay in film and television, she moved out to Los Angeles. Lovelle guest starred on Netflix’s “Bloodline,” CBS’s “Blue Bloods” and most recently starred in the 2019 Sundance film “Delivery Girl,” where she stepped out of her usual role type. “I find that I have a very standard ‘girl next door’ look, so I get called in for these roles that don’t have much substance to her,” Lovelle said, “but I really resonate with grittier roles and more grounded characters that aren’t super preppy.”
Lovelle and Kate Kreiger played lead duo of the 2019 Sundance film “Delivery Girl.” Almost a polar opposite to her usual roles, Lovelle played a closeted drug dealer in an abusive relationship. “I was surprised that my agency even submitted me for the role, but it was the most at home I’ve ever felt in a script” she said. (Photo/Zimbio)
During her time in New York, Lovelle also became involved in modeling. “Commercial print work was awesome,” Lovelle said. Her most well-known modeling job was with Benefit Cosmetics for their precision brow pencil. As a natural redhead, she served as the perfect candidate for Benefit’s eyebrow makeover. “People were like, ‘Oh my gosh, you did this thing for Benefit, and in Sephora, my face is next to Bretman Rock’s face, which I think is really cool,” she said.
Looking back on her past, Lovelle compares Heritage theater to an off-Broadway performance. “My gosh, if I hadn’t gone to Heritage, I literally don’t know what I would be doing right now,” Lovelle said. “I was in such a positive space, and they really taught me stuff I didn’t even learn in the real world.”
Christian Thompson (class of 2011)
During his time at Heritage, Thompson was also a theatre student. Thompson starred alongside Lovelle as the king in the Heritage’s 2011 production of “The King and I.” Thompson moved on to attend The Pennsylvania State University, where he would star in their productions of “Spring Awakening” and “Blood at the Root.” After graduating from Penn State, Thompson traveled as a part of the 20th Anniversary Tour of “RENT” before landing his role as Smokey Robinson in “Ain’t Too Proud” on Broadway.
“I get to be a part of the incredible legacy that is Motown. These men and women created music that has and will stand the test of time,” Thompson said. “[AHS] gave me the tools and the foundation that I still use day in and day out. The faculty believed in me and pushed me to be the best artist and person I could be.”
Christian Thompson (left), class of 2011, once met Smokey Robinson, the figure behind his Broadway role. “He gave me a big hug, but didn’t talk much,” Thompson said. “My first entrance as Smokey [on stage] is always fun because I can feel the audience embrace me as the icon for the night, and that’s an honor.” (Photo submitted by Christian Thompson) 
Whether it’s ringing in the New Year on stage in Tokyo as a part of the “RENT” tour, performing at the Tony awards, dancing as a part of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade or seeing the current AHS choir in the theater seats of an “Ain’t Too Proud” show, Thompson has worked on expanding his theatrical career since his graduation in 2011. (Photo submitted by Christian Thompson) 
“Since AHS I feel like I’ve refined what got started there — myself as a person, as well as an artist. It’s all still there, just better than before,” Thompson said. (Photo submitted by Christian Thompson)
Kevin Contento (class of 2008)
Since graduating from the University of Central Florida and going to Columbia University for graduate school, Contento has fully embraced his passion for filmmaking. His short film “Hierophany” was in the 2019 Miami Film Festival.
Chloé Nadon-Enriquez (class of 2015)
After double majoring in Theater and Neuroscience at Northwestern University, Nadon-Enriquez landed a role in the cast of the popular Broadway musical “Hamilton” as a swing.
