The Majestic Empire Foundation is pleased to announce that 25 finalists from eight high schools in San Antonio and South Texas have earned a place at the 2017 Joci Awards, the organization’s annual performing arts scholarship competition. These finalists will sing, act and dance, vying for a chance to win a portion of more than $100,000 in scholarship funds and for two finalists, the chance to participate in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards in New York City. The Joci Awards is open to the public and will take place at on Sunday, May 21 at 7 p.m. at the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre.
Competitors will step into the spotlight, having been chosen from a field of more than 100 entries from 35 schools throughout South Texas. All 25 finalists are guaranteed scholarship funds ranging from $3,000 to $6,000, with notable guest judges evaluating their live performances on May 21 to determine the amount for each. An additional $10,000 will be awarded to the best overall performance.
The five categories included are: Acting, Best Lead Actor in a Musical, Best Lead Actress in a Musical, Dance and Vocal. The finalists for this year’s Joci Awards are:
ACTING:
Keila Gonzalez
Mathian Riendeau
Ashlyn Roth
Marcus Sampson
Emily Tablizo
Lilith Tijerina
Sarah Tijerina
Sky Young
BEST LEAD ACTOR IN A MUSICAL*:
Travis Anderson
Preston Perez
Karl Roach-Compton
BEST LEAD ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL*:
Simone Jones
Ashlyn Prieto
Adriel Salinas
DANCE:
Courtney Bily
Payton Groff
Cree Taylor
VOCAL:
Jesse Beere
Ashley Clinton
Iyana Colby
Lauren Cole
Lina Forero
Hannah Peyton
Lindsay White
Jazz Wormley
* Finalists in the Best Lead Actor in a Musical and Best Lead Actress in a Musical categories are eligible to advance to the National High School Musical Theatre Awards in New York City
