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Governor's School writers among best in nation
For Immediate Release
Three creative writing students named as finalists in YoungArts competition
GREENVILLE, SC - Three creative writing students at the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities are among the state and the nation's best, as recognized by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA).
Wynne Hungerford and Jake Ross, both of Greenville, and Uchechi Kalu of Orangeburg are among 143 national finalists for the YoungArts Top 2010 Student Artists in the Nation award. YoungArts, the core program of the NFAA, recognizes and supports America's most talented 17-18 year olds in the visual, literary and performing arts.
Finalists were selected from more than 4,000 applicants in the United States. Governor's School students accounted for three of South Carolina's five finalists and were among only 21 literary finalists selected nationally.
"The students of the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities continue to demonstrate the abundance of talent that resides in our state and the importance of providing an education that nurtures and promotes these exceptional young artists," said Dr. Bruce Halverson, Governor's School President. "Their success creates a reputation of excellence for South Carolina."
Hungerford, Ross and Kalu will attend YoungArts Week!, January 11-16, 2010 in Miami, where adjudicators will determine who will become Gold and Silver winners and travel to New York in the spring for the In the Studio series, an additional week of workshops, collaborative performances and exhibitions.
Gold winners receive $10,000 and Silver winners receive $5,000. Additionally, awards ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 are presented to students exhibiting excellence in their discipline.
Selected students from the pool of finalists will also be named 2010 Presidential Scholars in the Arts, an award given at the White House with the opportunity to perform at the Kennedy Center and exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, DC.
Hungerford and Ross are former students of Wade Hampton High School and the Fine Arts Center, both in Greenville. Kalu previously attended Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School in Orangeburg.
Seven Governor's School Drama students were also recognized by YoungArts. Honorable Mention awards, with a $250 cash prize, went to:
- Lauren Mishoe, formerly of Andrew Jackson High School in Lancaster,
- Michael Lasry, formerly of Waccamaw High School on Pawleys Island,
- Katie Atkinson, formerly of Lexington High School in Lexington, and
- Rory Gilbert, formerly of Richland Northeast High School in Columbia.
Merit awards, carrying a $100 cash prize, went to:
- Lorenzo Roberts, formerly of Beaufort High School in Beaufort,
- Caroline Haydon, formerly of Dorman High School in Spartanburg, and
- Jessie Scarborough-Ghent, formerly of Dreher High School in Columbia.
"We are honored to recognize these fine young artists," said Christina DePaul, President and CEO of YoungArts. "They represent the next generation of extraordinary artistic talent, and it is our hope that their experience with YoungArts will compel them to pursue their passions."
For more information about the YoungArts program, visit http://www.youngarts.org/.
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