Washington
D.C.
(June 2010):
On Monday,
June 21,
arts patrons
and
education
supporters
gathered at
the John F.
Kennedy
Center for
the
Performing
Arts for a
VIP cocktail
reception
and
performance
in
celebration
of the 2010
U.S.
Presidential
Scholars.
Earlier that
day, 141 of
the nation's
brightest
young
scholars,
including twenty
YoungArts
finalists,
were
officially
named U.S.
Presidential
Scholars in
a highly
anticipated
White House
ceremony.
These select
students
were
presented a
Presidential
Medallion by
President
Obama,
awarding
them the
highest
honor
bestowed on
the nation's
graduating
high school
seniors by
the U.S.
Department
of Education
and The
Commission
on
Presidential
Scholars.
In addition
to being
named
Presidential
Scholars in
the Arts,
the twenty
YoungArts
finalists
exhibited
their work
at the
Smithsonian
American Art
Museum and
performed at
the John F.
Kennedy
Center for
the
Performing
Arts;
in
celebration
of the
impressive
group of
2010 U.S.
Presidential
Scholars.
The
reception
included an
incredible
performance
by violinist
Sandy
Cameron, a
YoungArts
Alumna and
Harvard
University
graduate.
Notable
guests
included
famed
dancer/choreographer
and 1986
YoungArts
Alumnus and
Presidential
Scholar
Desmond
Richardson,
President of
Miami-Dade
College,
Eduardo J.
Padrón,
NEA Chairman
Rocco
Landesman,
NEA
Senior
Deputy
Chairman
Joan
Shigekawa,
Izette
Folger,
Ginny
Mancini,
Commissioner
Marian
McCarthy,
Richard
Koshalck,
Lin Arison,
Sarah Arison,
documentary
filmmaker
Ali Codina
and Michael
Maccoby.
About
YoungArts
YoungArts is
the core
program of
the National
Foundation
for
Advancement
in the Arts
(NFAA). It
is the
signature
national
program that
recognizes
and supports
America?s
most
talented
17-18 year
olds in the
visual,
literary and
performing
arts.
YoungArts is
the sole
nominating
agency for
Presidential
Scholars in
the Arts.
The
foundation
provides
emerging
artists with
financial
support and
life
changing
experiences
with
internationally
renowned
artists.
YoungArts
alumni go on
to become
leading
professionals
in their
fields.
Alumni
include Emmy
nominated
actress
Vanessa
Williams,
three-time
Tony Award
nominee Raúl
Esparza,
star of
HBO?s
Entourage
Adrian
Grenier and
Warner
Brothers
Recording
Artist Josh
Groban. For
more
information,
visit
www.youngarts.org