SILER CITY, N.C. — Twenty-six actors, dancers, musicians and visual artists were honored for their outstanding work by JMArts at the school’s 2025 Academic Awards ceremony, held last month to celebrate top Jordan-Matthews High School students across all disciplines.
Reyes Basurto Canseco was named the 2025 Outstanding Graduate in Band. The clarinet player performed for two years with the One Chatham honors band and in several JM ensembles. He even stepped on stage last spring as Rudolpho in “Matilda: The Musical,” as part of a cast that was honored as a DPAC Rising Star Awards finalist for Best Ensemble, after performing as the Traveler in JM’s North Carolina Theatre Conference production of “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.”
Band director Aaron Partin said Basurto Canseco is a musician and student who never backed down from a challenge. “Reyes is a man of unwavering standards, no matter how impossible the goal may seem,” he said. Basurto Canseco plans to attend Greensboro College this fall to major in music and political science.
Nevaeh Dula and Ariana Harris were both named 2025 Outstanding Graduates in Dance.
Dula was selected for the inaugural One Chatham honors dance workshop and showcased her creative talent with three dances she co-choreographed this spring for JM’s Student Choreography Showcase. Dance instructor Hannah Marr was impressed by Dula’s work ethic. “Nevaeh is a hardworking and empathetic student who has shone in dance class with her natural ability to pick up and execute movement,” Marr said. “Beyond this, her creative ability is top notch.”
Harris co-choreographed three dances this spring for JM’s Student Choreography Showcase. She also performed as Bulda in JM’s North Carolina premiere of “Frozen: The Broadway Musical” and in several other JM theatrical productions — “Shrek The Musical,” which received a Triangle Rising Stars nomination for Best Ensemble; “Almost Maine” and JM’s North Carolina Theatre Conference production of “Female Gaze.” “The dances she co-choreographed for the Student Choreography Showcase were more artistically mature than I ever could have expected,” Marr said. “Beyond that, Ari is a wonderful human being who cares about those around her.”
Abigail Cockrum, a JMArts Scholar, was named the 2025 Outstanding Graduate in Jazz. She performed on clarinet with the All-District Honor Band for North Carolina’s Central District, One Chatham honors band, West Chatham Jazz Ensemble and West Chatham Concert Band — and also is a regular performer on jazz saxophone and conch shell. She has performed in the pit orchestra on clarinet for JM’s North Carolina premiere of “Frozen: The Broadway Musical,” on clarinet and alto sax for last spring’s production of “Matilda: The Musical,” as a vocalist in various ensembles and in several theatrical roles.
Band director Aaron Partin said Cockrum is an artist who is always looking ahead. “Abby sees the future not as a mystery, but as a promise waiting to be fulfilled,” he said. Cockrum plans to attend Wingate University this fall to major in music education and clarinet performance.
Elisa Vasquez Perez, a JMArts Scholar, was named the 2025 Outstanding Graduate in Theater. She most recently performed the featured role of Miss Agatha Trunchbull in JM’s production of “Matilda: The Musical,” which was selected as a DPAC Rising Star Awards finalist for Best Ensemble. Before that, she performed in the North Carolina premiere of “Frozen: The Broadway Musical,” JM’s 2024 North Carolina Theatre Conference production of “The Book of Dog” and JM’s 2023 production of “Shrek The Musical.” She also has been a vocalist in the Sing and Play student music competition and various choral ensembles.
Theater teacher Mikala Richardson said Vasquez Perez has been focused on constantly improving. “Elisa shows amazing dedication to everything she does, most of all theater,” she said. “It has been an honor to watch her grow.” Vasquez Perez plans to attend Central Carolina Community College this fall.
Gabriella Whitman was named the 2025 Outstanding Graduate in Visual Art. She was honored as one of the area’s top artists to participate in the 2025 One Chatham Clinic and Exhibition and her watercolor, “A Snowy Walk,” was one of three winners in the Chatham County Schools Digital Postcard contest and a finalist in the 2024 competition to select art for the JMArts annual holiday card. She also was part of a team painting sets for JM’s North Carolina premiere of “Frozen: The Broadway Musical.”
Art teacher Laura Newman looks forward to seeing how Whitman uses art to enrich her own life. “I hope that Gabriella continues to make art and create,” she said. “The kind of art she’s making now may not be her future field of study, but art could always be a part of her life.” Whitman plans to take a gap year before enrolling in Central Carolina Community College to study culinary arts.
TavalynRae Gray, a JMArts Scholar, was named the 2025 Outstanding Graduate in Vocal Music. She performed with The Golden Tones a cappella ensemble, the One Chatham honor chorus and in the Sing and Play student music competition. She also is a talented actor, performing in JM’s North Carolina premiere of “Frozen: The Broadway Musical” and in the ensemble for “Matilda: The Musical,” which was honored as a Best Ensemble finalist in the DPAC Rising Star Awards.
Music teacher Allison Blaylock said Gray has been an exemplary leader in vocal music classes. “Tavvy is not only a gifted musician, but she is also a respected leader of her peers and it has been a joy to see younger students turn to her for friendship, guidance and support,” she said. Gray plans to attend Meredith College this fall to major in music performance.
Other awards recognized outstanding students early in their high school studies who have already demonstrated significant artistic potential. All of this year’s honorees were completing their first year of high school study.
Levi Culberson received the 2025 Young Actor Award for artistic talent, commitment to his work and stepping up when needed.
Maiquel Claudio Flores received the 2025 Young Artist Award for impressive creative skills that have her teacher already looking forward to what she will be able to create next year and how she may grow as an artist before graduation.
Lizzie Alston and Kennedi Blackwell each received 2025 Young Dancer Awards. Alston was honored for demonstrating impressive technical skills as well as leadership among her peers. Blackwell was honored for artistic skills and passion that light up the classroom.
Summer Soria Mora received the 2025 Young Instrumentalist Award for demonstrating artistic growth in just one year that outpaced the band director’s boldest predictions.
Brianna Leandro Balderas received the 2025 Young Vocalist Award for being a natural leader and giving her all in class.
Also honored during the ceremony were 12 previously announced JMArts Scholars, each one earning a scholarship for intensive arts study over the summer — most at a weeklong, residential workshop offered on a university campus.
They are Evan Andrews, Felix Banks, Jobanny Benitez Espinoza, Dennis Chicas Garcia, Hali Dodd, Delaney Fuquay, Charline Jimenez Rojo, Gisele Lopez Hernandez, Ismael Martinez, Hunter Scott, Summer Soria Mora and Jonathan Vasquez Mazariegos.
Two JMArts awards recipients were honored in separate ceremonies earlier this year. They are Callie Fogleman, who received the 2025 Kaitlin James Theater Award before the closing performance of “Matilda: The Musical,” and Kenzie Barnett, who received the 2024 Holiday Card Award last fall for having her work selected for JMArts’ annual holiday card.
More information about JMArts — including details about awards, JMArts Scholars and upcoming events — is available at jmarts.org.
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Many Jordan-Matthews High School arts students attended the school’s 2025 Academic Awards ceremony in late May to receive recognition as outstanding graduates or young artists in band, dance, theater, visual arts and vocal music. They were (back row from left) Evan Andrews, Ariana Harris, Jobanny Benitez Espinoza, Hali Dodd, Dennis Chicas Garcia, Brianna Leandro Balderas, Levi Culberson, Charline Jimenez Rojo, Ismael Martinez, Gisele Lopez Hernandez, Hunter Scott and Jonathan Vasquez Mazariegos. Also, front row from left, TavalynRae Gray, Nevaeh Dula, Abigail Cockrum, Reyes Basurto Canseco and Summer Soria Maria. (Photo by Rose Pate)
