May 6, 2009
Media Contact: Connie Pullella
703-777-7838; info@loudounarts.org
Loudoun's 'Excellent' High School Artists Awarded
LEESBURG, Va. - The Loudoun Arts Council has announced that the Excellence in the Arts Awards Competition will take place in March 2008, marking the 17th year for the competition. The competition offers cash prizes to high school students living in Loudoun County for excellence in the visual, performing, digital, and literary arts. Entries will be judged by professionals from each of the artistic disciplines.
Sunday, April 26th at 6 pm, the Loudoun Arts Council held its 18th annual Excellence in the Arts Awards Ceremony at the Franklin Park Performing and Visual Arts Center. Over one hundred people turned out to enjoy performances and displays by high school winners in eight categories: visual arts, digital arts, dance, piano, literary, instrumental, voice, and theatre.
Participants were judged by professionals in each field, and comments from all judges were given to help them learn and better perform at their subsequent auditions. First and second place winners were awarded cash prizes of up to $400.00 each and certificates, and honorable mention recipients were awarded certificates for their accomplishments.
This year's performances were astounding, the range of the voices and level of artistic talent delighted the entire audience. "The level of talent in the performances was amazing...it blew me out of the water! The vocal performances literally gave me chills. It was also wonderful to see how supportive the participants were of each other during the reception," said Connie Pullella, the LAC administrator.
Winners are as follows:| VOICE | ||
| First Place | Meagan Sill | Dominion High School |
| First Place | Jennifer Weyman | Broad Run High School |
| Hon. Mention | Abby Middleton | Stone Bridge High School |
| Hon. Mention | Christi McCarthy | Heritage High School |
| PIANO | ||
| First Place | Jordan Mann | Private Studio |
| Second Place | Kyung-Ji Alicia Min | Freedom High School |
| Hon. Mention | Samantha Hummer | Private Studio |
| INSTRUMENTAL | ||
| First Place | Anna-Luisa Mirto | violin, Private Studio |
| Second Place | Miguel Quijano | cello, Heritage High School |
| Hon. Mention | Alex Mohr | guitar, Loudoun County High School |
| Hon. Mention | Aniqa Iqbal | snare drum, Stone Bridge High School |
| DANCE | ||
| First Place | Casie O'Kane | Loudoun County High School |
| Second Place | Alyssa Weldon | Loudoun School of Ballet |
| Hon. Mention | Michaela McGowan | Loudoun School of Ballet |
| THEATER | ||
| First Place | Nicole McCulloch | Broad Run High School |
| Hon. Mention | Ty Sheedlo | Dominion High School |
| VISUAL | ||
| First Place | David Reinhold | Chase Art School |
| Second Place | Allison McDavid | Parkview High School |
| Hon. Mention | Sarah Muse | Loudoun County High School |
| DIGITAL | ||
| First Place | Jennifer Fleischer | Loudoun Valley High School |
| Second Place | Diego Valdez | Park View High School |
| Hon. Mention | Sara Padden | Harmony Intermediate |
| Hon. Mention | Monica Stefanelli | Dominion High School |
| Hon Mention | Eric Reibling | Loudoun Valley High School |
| LITERARY | ||
| First Place | Alexandra Vangsnes | Loudoun Valley High School |
| Second Place | Kelsey Baker | Private Studio |
| Third Place | Alix Penland | Stone Bridge High School |
For more information, contact the Loudoun Arts Council at 703-777 7838 or info@loudounarts.org
###Excellence in the Arts is sponsored by the Loudoun Arts Council, which promotes the arts in Loudoun County by advocating for and assisting arts organizations and individual artists. The LAC operates as the interface between artists, organizations, and arts supporters by providing information, education, research, and communication to benefit the arts community as a whole. For more information on Excellence in the Arts or the Loudoun Arts Council, please contact Connie Pullella at 703-777-7838.
