Out & About: Artistic achievers gather at The Palace Theatre

Shirley McMarlin | Monday, May 20, 2019 1:30 a.m.

photos: Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

Award recipients, (from left), Casey Guidry, Franklin Regional High School, recipient of artistic merit in visual art, Albert Johnson, Monessen High School, recipient of artistic merit in theatre performance, and Charlie Hough, Franklin Regional High School, recipient of artistic merit in theatre performance, gather for a photo at the Westmoreland Cultural Trust’s 21st Annual Achievement in the Arts Awards, 2019 Awards of Artistic Merit, held at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg on Wednesday evening, May 15, 2019.

“Achievement in the Arts is Westmoreland County’s sports award for creatives,” says Kelli Brisbane, Westmoreland Cultural Trust’s director of corporate engagement and events.

The trust presented its 21st annual arts awards to seniors from 18 county high schools May 15 at The Palace Theatre in Greensburg. Categories include theater, visual arts, instrumental music and vocal music.

Honorees, family members and friends enjoyed a reception prior to the ceremony, during which students received commemorative pins to wear on their graduation sashes. Winners included:

Belle Vernon Area: Gabriel Reed, Corrine Manderino

Burrell: Kelci Sopko, Alex Capsambelis, Ashley Roberts, Lindsay Tate

Derry Area: Andrew Lang, Emily Henigin, Levi Eaglehouse, Marley Sites

Franklin Regional: Megan Swift, Lauren DeLuca, Charlie Hough, Casey Guidry

Greater Latrobe: Josie Rodell, Kayla Holsopple, Tate McElhaney, Benjamin DiFrancesco

Greensburg Central Catholic: Sarah Poklembo, Katelyn Denman, Zachary Gilkey, Michelle Douglas

Greensburg Salem: Kora Malie, Sierra Flanders, Robert Dietrich, Molly Krunszyinsky

Hempfield Area: Sierra Williams, David Smith, Anthony Marino, Rachael Hollar

Jeannette: Alycia Zummo, Logan Evans, Brittany Carl, Becca Tyger

Kiski Area: Hope Albert, Luka Krachanko, Hailey Pierce, Madison Hall

Ligonier Valley: Faith McDowell, Garrett Crusan, Elsa Klotz, Sydney Damon

Monessen: Olivia Peralta, Shania Lakin, Albert Johnson, Ariana Bartholomew

Mt. Pleasant Area: Helena Baumgardner, Kristen Collins, Blake Woodmancy, Madison McTavish

Norwin: James Stanley, Nieko Disso, Carolyn Tachoir, Grace Watson

Penn-Trafford: Angelique Morante, Emma Garris, Grace Bender, Rita Montgomery

Southmoreland: Kaelei Whitlatch, Dylan Opalinksi, Cole Leasher, Toni Brayo

Valley: Elizabeth Schachte, Eliazar Moyes, William L. McGinnis Jr., Riya Simone Howze

Yough: Mollie Landman, Anthony Ohler, Nolan Franks, Grace Comini

Announcers were the Honorable Jim Silvis and Meagan Bilik DeFazio. Presenters were Nancy Anderson, Westmoreland Cultural Trust; Joan McGarry, The Westmoreland Museum of American Art; Endicott Reindl, Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra; and Susan Mahady, Westmoreland Choral Society.