Next generation of excellence

Now in its second year, the Ben Vereen Awards “celebrates excellence in high school musical theater.”

On April 26, 20 nominees from the local high schools compete to be in the Top Ten representing San Diego at the Southwest Region Competition Finals in Tucson, May 24.

The competition takes place at the Balboa Theatre. CBS News 8 anchor Barbara-Lee Edwards will host the evening, sponsored by San Diego County Credit Union.

Nominees

Best Actor:

Ben Desoto Mayor, Pacific Ridge High School

David Batchman, Chula Vista High School

Jonah Duhe, El Camino High School

Justin Haupt, Cathedral Catholic High School

Michael Voegele, San Diego School for the Creative and Performing Arts

Nathan Wetter, La Jolla High School

Remy Reye, La Jolla Country Day School

Sam Brogadir, San Diego School for the Creative and Performing Arts

Shane Bushouer, Mira Mesa High School

Steve Macario, Canyon Crest Academy

Best Actress:

Brooke Patterson, Canyon Crest Academy

Caroline Carlson, Coronado High School

Caroline Lezny, Francis Parker High School

Catherine Ames, Pacific Ridge High School

Catherine Lynch, Rancho Buena Vista High School

Emma Wineman, la Jolla High School

Grace Marshall, Rancho Buena Vista High School

Mackenzie Scott, Rancho Buena Vista High School

Ruby Ross, Francis Parker High School

Tina LaMar, Cathedral Catholic High School

Nominees for Best Musical Production

Evita, Canyon Crest Academy

Hello, Dolly!, Cathedral Catholic High School

Chicago, Francis Parker School

Rent, San Diego School for the Creative and Performing Arts

9 to 5, Rancho Buena Vista High School

Winners of the Southwest Region Competition Finals (held in Tucson) will fly to New York for “an all-expenses paid week of intensive training before they compete for the National High School Musical Theatre Awards at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre, June 29. Winners receive $10,000 towards a college scholarship.

Broadway legend Ben Vereen will host the local competition and present a new award: the Student Health Initiative/Wellness Through the Arts Contest. High school students throughout the region were invited to express themselves — either in an essay or a video — on the topic, “The Moment I Changed My Life for the Better.”

Vereen asked students to “tell me what “Their Best Day’ was in dealing with their most challenging issue, and, most importantly, how they used the arts to make a difference.”

Specific subjects: obesity, diabetes, low self-esteem, and bullying.

The winners have been chosen. Each individual winner receives a $500 award; the winning theater department, $1000.

Individual winners of the Student Health Initiative/Wellness Through the Arts Contest:

Amber Young, video, Chula Vista High School

Carly Stacey, essay, Point Loma High School

Emily Armstrong, essay, Clairemont High School

Madeleine Fossler, essay, Christian High School

Molly Hafer, essay, San Diego School for the Creative and Performing Arts

Winning High School Theater Department Video Essay

San Diego School of the Creative and Performing Arts