PPAC Announces Winners of ARTS Scholarships 2010 Program

Jo-Ann Ragosta, Chairperson of the ARTS Scholarships 2010 program, along with the members of the Community Outreach Committee of the Providence Performing Arts Center, are pleased to announce today the winners of the ARTS Scholarships 2010 program, sponsored by Textron Inc. with support from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, the Rhode Island Health and Educational Building Corporation, and the PPAC Annual Fund Donors.

The 25 talented Rhode Island student artists, ages 11-14, will each receive a scholarship of up to $500 that will provide an opportunity for these students to attend local summer arts education programs that will expand their experiences in a chosen area of study (please see below for the list of ARTS Scholarships 2010 winners). The Arts Scholarships 2010 awards will be presented to the winners during a reception for recipients and invited guests at the Providence Performing Arts Center on Monday, May 3 from 4:30 - 6P. PPAC Board of Trustees Chairman Joseph W. Walsh, Esq. will present the Arts Scholarships 2010 awards. For more information on the Arts Scholarships 2010 program or the awards, contact Cynthia Goldsmith at (401) 421-2997 x 3105.

The Community Outreach Committee is a committee of the Providence Performing Arts Center's Board of Trustees and is comprised of Theatre Trustees, Rhode Island educators, artists, and community leaders with an interest in the arts and youth. The Committee's mission includes developing arts education opportunities for Rhode Island's young people and making the Providence Performing Arts Center accessible to Rhode Island's diverse populations. Committee members are responsible for conducting the application, assessment, and awarding of scholarships.

With a portion of the proceeds from the First Annual Greater Providence Gospel Fest (a production of the Providence Performing Arts Center), the Community Outreach Committee created the ARTS Scholarships program in 1996, a scholarship fund earmarked for assisting students with an interest in studying the arts. Since then, 326 scholarships have been awarded to talented Rhode Island students. The total amount of awards given will increase to 351 scholarships after the awards ceremony on May 3. Previous scholarship winners had the opportunity to attend summer programs at Rhode Island College, Rhode Island School of Design, the TseTse Gallery, Trinity Repertory Theatre, Camp Broadway, Newport Art Museum, Festival Ballet, the Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School, and others.

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ARTS Scholarships 2010 Recipients
Justin Amoros, Hugh B. Bain Middle School - Cranston

Caleb Anderson, The Compass School - Kingston

Benjamin Brown, Hugh B. Bain Middle School - Cranston

Megan Carroll, LaSalle Academy - Providence

Julia DePalma, Dr. Edward R. Ricci Middle School - North Providence

Halle Duggan, Frank E. Thompson Middle School - Newport

Pearl Emerson, Frank E. Thompson Middle School - Newport

Haslem Anibal Espinal, Esek Hopkins Middle School - Providence

David Gomez, Woonsocket High School - Woonsocket

Tessa Griffin, Nathanael Greene Middle School - Providence

Alaina Hail, Alice M. Waddington School - Riverside

Ben Handy, Paul Cuffee School - Providence

Holly Huntoon, St. Peter School - Warwick

Akiyah Johnson, Esek Hopkins Middle School - Providence

Samuel Miller, Home Schooled - Smithfield

Jamileth Payne, Governor Christopher Delsesto Middle School - Providence

Nicholas Peladeau, Aldrich Junior High School - Warwick

Jean Rodriguez, Esek Hopkins Middle School - Providence

Dana Rojas, Esek Hopkins Middle School - Providence

Ann-Frances Rokosa, Chariho Regional Middle School - Wood River Junction

Hannah Sereby, Classical High School - Providence

Tyree Simmons, Edward R. Martin Middle School - East Providence

Karen Slattery, E. G. Robertson School - Warwick

Hidania Ubaldo, Governor Christopher Delsesto Middle School - Providence

Sarah Upton, Smithfield High School - Smithfield