Eleven S.C. students recognized in national YoungArts competition
State places five finalists among 720 winners
2019 YoungArts winners in dance. Provided photo.
Each year the National YoungArts Foundation holds one of the largest arts competitions for 15-18-year-old students that identifies the most accomplished young artists in the literary, visual and performing arts from around the country.
Winners are chosen for their caliber of artistic achievement by esteemed discipline-specific panels of artists through a rigorous blind adjudication process. This year, 11 students from South Carolina were recognized, including five finalists, who placed among the 720 winners and thousands of applications nationwide.
The South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities had nine students who placed, including four finalists:
- Christian Moody and Néoma Sanchez were named theater finalists;
- Youjaye Daniels, writing finalist in poetry and honorable mention in creative non-fiction;
- Kirby Wilson, writing finalist in creative non-fiction;
- Remaliah Smith, music honorable mention in voice;
- Grace Warren-Page, writing honorable mention in poetry and merit award in short story;
- Madyson Grant, writing merit award in short story;
- Deirdre Hickey, writing merit award in creative non-fiction;
- and Karolina Montalvo, writing merit award in creative non-fiction.
Thomas Hicks, from Greer High School, was name a visual arts finalist. Sienna España, from the South Carolina Connections Academy, receconnectived a dance honorable mention in the ballet category.
YoungArts award winners at all levels receive cash prizes between $100 and $10,000. In addition to monetary awards, all winners receive a medallion, a lifetime of creative and professional support, and access to YoungArts Post—a private, online portal for YoungArts artists to connect, share their work and discover new opportunities.
Finalists are invited to participate in National YoungArts Week in January 2022, where they will be offered virtual classes, workshops and mentorship from professional artists. They will also be able to exhibit or perform their work to the public and compete for higher honors.
A complete list of the 2022 winners is available online at youngarts.org/winners.
About S.C. Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities
Located in Greenville, the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities cultivates young artists from across the state through pre-professional training in creative writing, dance, drama, music and visual arts. In the public, residential high school, students refine their talents in an arts-centered community while receiving a nationally recognized academic education. Summer programs are available to rising 7th-12th grade students. The Governor’s School also serves as a resource to all teachers and students in South Carolina, offering comprehensive outreach programs designed to bring together artists, educators, community organizations and schools. SCGSAH.org. Follow @SCGSAH on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.