With nearly 245 YoungArts awards under its belt since doors opened in 1987, New World School of the Arts recognizes the newest wave of YoungArts winners comprised of nine finalists, three honorable mentions and five Merit Awards, plus three Presidential Scholar in the Arts nominations.
YoungArts finalists are: Gabriela Diaz, Joshua Forges, Darcy Hernandez, Amy Hixson, Michaela Manzieri, Melanie Ramos, Mika Rosenberg, Sebastian Ruiz, Gena Sims; honorable mention: Maya Hunter, Ana Remis, Emma Suman; Merit: Josh Bermudez, Jennie Coutrier, Jessica Fernandez, Jennifer Nouel, Melanie Ramos. Presidential Scholar in the Arts nominees are Gabriel Diaz, Joshua Forges and Mika Rosenberg.
YoungArts was established in 1981 to identify emerging artists and assist them at critical junctures in their educational and professional development, and to raise the appreciation for and support of the arts in American society. Each year since its inception, YoungArts, based in Miami and founded by Lin and Ted Arison of Carnival Cruises, selects more than 120 high school seniors from a pool of thousands of candidates nationwide and offers them the opportunity to travel to Miami to present their artistic talents and achievements. These fortunate few also receive cash awards of $100 to $10,000 per student, or scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $30,000 annually for four years to further enhance their artistic education.
The objective of this institution is to identify talented arts students in their senior year in high school. The deadline to apply is Oct. 1 of each year.
The U.S. Presidential Scholars program was established in 1964, by executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts.
Each year, up to 141 students are named as Presidential Scholars and of those, 20 YoungArts winners are chosen to represent the arts. As U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, the scholars showcase their work at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, DC, during the Presidential Scholars Medallion recognition ceremony held in the month of June. They also have the opportunity to participate in events and activities with their elected representatives, educators, and other leading individuals in public life.
