$110,000 Awarded to Area Students and Schools at Virtual Joci Awards
SAN ANTONIO (May 17, 2020) – On Sunday, May 17, The Majestic Empire Foundation once again awarded over $100,000 in scholarships and grants at the 2020 Joci Awards, maintaining its designation as the largest scholarship funding source of its kind in the United States. Due to the growing concern over COVID-19 and out of an abundance of caution, the Joci Awards were moved to a virtual format this year. The program, which premiered and can be viewed in its entirety on YouTube, was produced in partnership with Blanchard Creative Group and Walley Films.
25 finalists stepped into the virtual spotlight, having been chosen from a field of a record-breaking 170+ applicants from 46 schools throughout South Texas. All finalists were guaranteed scholarship funds of $4,000 each. An Overall Winner, selected by a panel of celebrity guest judges, was selected to win an additional $6,000 scholarship, bringing their total winnings to $10,000. The scholarship for the Overall Winner was made possible by Radius Center.
The Joci Awards Production Assistant Internship Program was presented as part of The Majestic Empire Foundation’s annual scholarship program and in affiliation with Blanchard Creative Group. Under the direction of this professional production company, Production Assistant Interns played a critical role in the creative, technical and musical aspects of the virtual program. Each assistant was awarded a $750 scholarship to the college or university of their choice.
Chosen from a field of more than 20 productions, three schools were honored for their musical theatre productions and each received a $500 stipend to support their theatre program.
2020 Joci Awards winners include:
Overall Winner
$6,000: Julianna Ingram – North East School of the Arts; San Antonio, TX
Acting
$4,000: Mick Buck – North East School of the Arts; San Antonio, TX
$4,000: Connor Fitzmaurice – Johnson High School; San Antonio, TX
$4,000: Christopher Johnson – North East School of the Arts; San Antonio, TX
$4,000: Naudia Mayers – Steele High School; Cibolo, TX
$4,000: Faith-Ann Zepeda – Harlingen Performing Arts Conservatory; Harlingen, TX
Best Lead Actor in a Musical
$4,000: Tristan Flores as Usnavi in In the Heights – Harlingen Performing Arts Conservatory; Harlingen, TX
$4,000: Joshuah Mayo as Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors – Judson High School; Converse, TX
$4,000: Nathan Napoli as Thomas Andrews in Titanic – Reagan High School; San Antonio, TX
$4,000: Dawson Rice as Frederick Barrett in Titanic – Reagan High School; San Antonio, TX
$4,000: Aidan Villarreal as Bobby Child in Crazy for You – Taft High School; San Antonio, TX
Best Lead Actress in a Musical
$4,000: Faith Bulen as Polly Baker in Crazy for You – Taft High School; San Antonio, TX
$4,000: Gabriela Garza as Abuela Claudia in In the Heights – Harlingen Performing Arts Conservatory; Harlingen, TX
$4,000: Naliah Hernandez as Margaret White in Carrie – North East School of the Arts; San Antonio, TX
$4,000: Julianna Ingram as Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia! – North East School of the Arts; San Antonio, TX
$4,000: Claire McGinlay as Carrie White in Carrie – North East School of the Arts; San Antonio, TX
Dance
$4,000: Kaben Benavides – Advanced Learning Academy; San Antonio, TX
$4,000: Toby Lawrence – North East School of the Arts; San Antonio, TX
$4,000: Kennady McClure – Connections Academy; San Antonio, TX
$4,000: Emma Vicana – Johnson High School; San Antonio, TX
$4,000: Cameron Wood – iUniversity; San Antonio, TX
Vocal
$4,000: Olivia Barrón – MacArthur High School; San Antonio, TX
$4,000: Carlie Green – North East School of the Arts; San Antonio, TX
$4,000: Breanna Klotzbach – Madison High School; San Antonio, TX
$4,000: Grant Pace – ZACH Performing Arts Academy; Austin, TX
$4,000: River Phillips – Reagan High School; San Antonio, TX
Production Assistant Interns
$750: Mya Alexander – East Central High School; San Antonio, TX
$750: Aleshah Brown – Homeschool; San Antonio, TX
$750: Henry Joaquin Gonzalez – Alamo Heights High School; San Antonio, TX
$750: Maya Sarate – Advanced Learning Academy; San Antonio, TX
Best Musical
$500: Carrie – North East School of the Arts; San Antonio, TX
$500: Crazy for You – Taft High School; San Antonio, TX
$500: In The Heights – Harlingen Performing Arts Conservatory; Harlingen, TX
About The Majestic Empire Foundation —The Majestic Empire Foundation is dedicated to the development of the performing arts through education and scholarships, as well as the restoration and preservation of historic theatres. The Majestic Empire Foundation offers a variety of educational initiatives to nurture and grow the performing arts, including an annual scholarship program, as well as additional educational and training opportunities. For more information, visit www.lascasasfoundation.org
