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Founded in 1981, the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA) is dedicated to nurturing and supporting young artists as they pursue their dreams. One of its core programs, youngARTS, provides recognition and awards to young artists across the country through its annual competition.
Each year, 6,000 to 8,000 students register for the youngARTS program. A youngARTS panel selects up to 150 students each year as finalists and offers them an all-expense-paid trip to Miami, Florida, in January for youngARTS Week. The experience includes master classes, showcase performances, exhibitions, enrichment programs and final adjudications.
Presidential Scholars are chosen from among the youngARTS Finalists. This year, seventeen Academy students achieved finalist status. From this group, seven were selected as Presidential Scholar candidates and one was named a Presidential Scholar.
Alix Briggs, Writing
Zachary Cook, Theatre
Brianna Dewar, Voice
Sean Dowgray, Music Instrumental
Joshua Epperson, Voice
Michael Hanna, Theatre
Carl Johanson, Theatre*
Steven Johnson, Theatre**
Evan Kardon, Voice
Emily Koch, Theatre*
Miles Mykkanen, Voice*
Jordan Pemberton, Visual Arts*
Ines Pujos, Writing
Susanna Rizzo, Theatre
Thomas Rust, Visual Arts*
Tristan Savella, Music Instrumental
Helen Spica, Writing
*Presidential Scholar Candidate
**Presidential Scholar
At the conclusion of youngARTS Week, panelists nominate 60 youngARTS Finalists and 20 are ultimately selected as Presidential Scholars in the Arts. Theatre student Steven Johnson is Interlochen’s 40th Presidential Scholar.
In addition to the seven candidates for Presidential Scholars in the Arts, one Interlochen student was selected as a candidate for Presidential Scholar in Academics: Laura Winston, Violin.
