Two NEISD Students Named Young Arts Finalists

Two North East ISD students have been selected as Young Arts finalists in this year's national Presidential Scholarship competition. Churchill High School senior Dallas Akins (theatre) and Karissa Royster (dance) of Madison High School were chosen for this distinguished honor.

More than 7,000 students applied and competed in the Young Arts Presidential Scholar competition, sponsored by the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts. Only 148 students from the 7,000 were selected from various arts auditions categories. NEISD has had 11 finalists in theatre and two Presidential Scholars over the past 12 years, but Karissa is a first in dance for NEISD and also one of 22 dancers from across the country who has been selected as a finalist.

Akins and Royster have just returned from an all expense paid, intensive workshop in Miami beginning January 7. In Miami, students studied for a week with industry professionals, coaches and university professors. Students at the workshop also showcased their talents and auditioned for a panel of judges for prize money and a chance to perform at The Kennedy Center in New York for President Obama. They will find out at the end of April if they are chosen for this opportunity.

"This is an incredible honor for these students as well as North East ISD," said Diana Schumacher, NEISD Fine Arts Executive Director.

Posted on Jan. 18, 2012