SILER CITY, N.C. — Eight students have been named JMArts Scholars by the Jordan-Matthews Arts Foundation, all receiving scholarships to pursue intensive fine arts study this summer.
They are Laci Burt, Paige Colborne, David Gonzalez Hernandez, Myriah Pettitt, Conrad Suits, Jennifer Trejo Benitez, Jackie Vasquez and Jose Zendejas.
Scholarships are funded through individual contributions to the foundation and income generated from ticket sales for the annual fall musical, fundraising projects and admission from a few major concerts during the academic year.
“I'm excited to see our students' enthusiasm about deepening their learning in the arts,” said JMArts president Rose Pate. “They return ready to raise the bar for everyone in the fall.”
Five will study vocal music. Burt, Suits and Trejo Benitez will attend the UNC Music Workshop in Chapel Hill. Vasquez, a JMArts Scholar for the third consecutive year, will attend the ECU Summer Choir Camp, and Colborne will travel to Texas for the Septien Teen Music Crash Course 2.
The other three artists will study instrumental music. Zendejas will return to the ECU Music Camp to study jazz for the second straight year. Gonzalez Hernandez will attend the NC State University Drum Major Leadership Camp in Raleigh, while Pettitt attends a similar program, the Drum Major Academy at UNC Charlotte.
"A week of immersion in the life of a college campus is critical to students who are considering majoring in the fine arts," said Pate. "There's no better experience we can give students as they are facing that big decision, and I'm proud to share the best of Jordan-Matthews with the rest of the state."
Since creating the awards seven years ago, JMArts has presented 62 scholarships to 40 students, with some receiving awards to study for more than one summer. The initiative was designed to help young artists develop their talent, explore artistic options before making their college decisions and bring what they learn back to share with other Jordan-Matthews students.
Businesses and individuals interested in contributing to the JMArts Scholars program or other projects for high school artists may contact Pate at 919-742-2916 or rpate@chatham.k12.nc.us. Checks can be mailed to JMArts, PO Box 395, Siler City, NC, 27344.
More information about JMArts, including details about JMArts Scholars and upcoming events, is available at jmarts.org.
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JMArts Scholars preparing for intensive study this summer are (standing from left) Jose Zendejas, Paige Colborne, Myriah Pettitt, Jennifer Trejo Benitez, Laci Burt, Jackie Vasquez, David Gonzalez Hernandez and (in front) Conrad Suits. (Photo by Chip Pate)