Students recognized through Annual Stars of Tomorrow Scholarship program

Dec 20, 2013 3 min read

The Annual Stars of Tomorrow Scholarship program celebrated its 22nd year in 2013. It is held for all students in this community and was enjoyed by an enthusiastic audience. This annual event is held at the Cultural Park Theater in Cape Coral.

The program this year was started by giving praise to this great United States of America. The city manager of Fort Myers Beach and a long-time supporter of the cultural arts and musical theater, Terry Stewart pleased the audience by giving musical renditions for the show by beginning the program by singing the national anthem.

This scholarship program featured competition in the performing arts in the categories: vocal, drama, dance and instrumental. All grade levels of elementary, middle, high school and first year college students were entered. First and second place winners were chosen in each category and grade level.

The competitions were held Friday, Dec. 13, and Saturday, Dec. 14. They were judged by a panel of qualified judges of Southwest Florida in the performing arts.

The past president of the Council for Arts and Humanities, Richard Knapik of the Sounds of Florida and Tom Werdin of The Cape Coral Art League both served as emcee for the competitions. Judges stated, “They were another group of highly talented, outstanding students in this years program.”

The winners were presented and performed Dec. 15 in the command performance at Cultural Park Theater. Bill Johnson of the chamber of commerce served as the master of ceremonies. Rana Erbrick the mayor pro-tem of Cape Coral graciously helped present the awards to the 24 winners.

Awards given by the Council for Arts and Humanities Inc. were $100 for first and $75 for second place in every grade level and every category of the performing art.

The program ended with a special vocal musical duet by Diana Ascher and Chance Cintron. A reception was held following the program for all contestants in the lobby of the theater.

The Arts Council, remembering those in need, invited everyone to bring nonperishable food for the Cape Coral Caring Center. The director of Stars of Tomorrow is June Sommerfield, the president of the Arts Council. She offered her thanks to all the volunteers and those who attended for supporting the great youth of today.

Stars of Tomorrow winners

High School

Vocal

First place – Diana Ascher

Second place – Kelly Tackett

Drama

First place – Steve Placke

Second place- Taylor Hadden

Dance

First place – Sammi Flynn

Instrumental

First place – Keith Ganish

Second place – Arielle Myerson

College

Instrumental

First place – Christina Placke

Middle School

Vocal

First place – Alissa Shea

Second place – Annalisse Vahdhuyzenvanzanten

Drama

First place – Alissa Shea

Second place – Maryann Connolly

Dance

First place – Emma Padgett

Second place – Alissa Shea

Instrumental

First place – Jennifer Nichols

Second place – Isabelle Swaska

Elementary School

Vocal

First place – Allerie Kovacs

Second place – Noen Perez and Kaatia Veldhuyzenvanzanten

Dance

First place – Laura Ennen

Drama

First place – Noen Perez

Second place – Abby Fletcher

Instrumental

First place – Laura Ennen

Second place – Jennifer Larue