Sharon Allen presented first-ever JMArts Community Hero award

SILER CITY, N.C. — Sharon Allen, lead arts teacher for Chatham County Schools, was named its 2020 Community Hero by JMArts, the Jordan-Matthews Arts Foundation. The award was created this year to honor a volunteer from the community who has contributed significantly to the success of the arts at Jordan-Matthews High School.

The award was presented on May 28 by JMArts President Rose Pate as part of the JMArts Awards, an online ceremony highlighting outstanding student musicians, actors and visual artists. Arts awards are usually announced as part of JM Awards Night, an annual event highlighting top students across all disciplines. But because of the coronavirus pandemic, arts awards were announced by faculty members in video presentations on JMArts Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

The awards ceremony is on Twitter at bit.ly/2Ye7W4I or accessible on all platforms with the hashtag #JMAawards2020.

Allen began teaching music in Chatham County Schools in 1980, working at Henry Siler Elementary, Silk Hope School and Siler City Elementary. In 2012, she became the lead arts teacher for Chatham County Schools, coordinating arts education across the county’s 18 public schools. Allen holds the Bachelor of Music and Master of Music Education degrees, both from UNC Greensboro, and has been active in professional associations, including serving on the board of directors for the North Carolina Music Educators Association.

Throughout JMArts's nine-year history, Allen has been an active volunteer and supporter. She has helped with a wide range of projects including grant applications, the Pig Out for the Arts barbecue supper and box office assistance at most concerts and musicals.

“Sharon has been a true believer in the JMArts mission from day one,” said president Rose Pate. “She's been not only a valuable resource through her work as lead arts teacher, but has made a real difference both in the planning and execution of our programs and activities.”

All arts award winners over the last few years are listed at jmarts.org/awards. The JMArts Community Hero is planned to be an annual honor.

More information about JMArts, including its flagship JMArts Scholars program, is available at jmarts.org.

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JM honors top student artists at JMArts award ceremony

SILER CITY, N.C. — Nine Jordan-Matthews High School artists received awards on May 28 during an annual ceremony highlighting outstanding student musicians, actors and visual artists. Awards are usually announced as part of JM Awards Night, an annual presentation highlighting top students across all disciplines. But because of the coronavirus pandemic, arts awards were announced by faculty members in video presentations on JMArts Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

The awards ceremony is on Twitter or accessible on all platforms with the hashtag #JMAawards2020.

Buck Thornton, a freshman, received the 2020 Young Actor Award for his exceptional work as Jack in the fall production of “Into the Woods,” exhibiting outstanding talent in acting as well as a feel for complicated theatrical music.

Tiana Brooks, a junior, received the 2020 Young Artist Award. The talented artist also was named the 2020 JMArts-Rotary Scholar, won first prize at JM’s “Path to the Woods” fall art show and had work exhibited at the 2019 Chatham Artists Guild Studio Tour Student Show.

Dayanara Rodriguez Mata, a freshman, received the 2020 Young Instrumentalist Award for her eagerness to pursue excellence in music and her other coursework, and for the joy and excitement she brings to the stage during performances.

Micaela Lopez, a freshman, received the 2020 Young Vocalist Award for her dedication to developing an exceptional voice while exhibiting an outstanding attitude and dedicated work ethic.

Jimmy Joyner III, a senior, was named the 2020 Outstanding Graduate in Band. The trombonist and four-year band veteran was recognized for his excellence, dedication and perseverance in instrumental performance. He emerged through many challenges with impressive courage and a positive attitude. Jimmy will attend East Carolina University this fall.

Jabez Lujan, a senior, was named the 2020 Outstanding Graduate in Jazz. The four-year band veteran and trombone player performed with JM’s Concert and Marching bands, but was inspired by the performance of the JM Jazz Band during its 2019 Music in May Concert to branch out into the world of jazz. Jabez plans to attend community college this fall.

Kayli McIntosh, a senior, was named the 2020 Outstanding Graduate in Theater. Her performance as Cinderella in “Into the Woods” received wide acclaim, but the actor also excelled in vocal music, performing with the All-Chatham Chorus and receiving the highest rating awarded as a soloist at the 2020 High School Choral MPA statewide evaluations. Kayli will attend UNC Greensboro this fall.

Jackelin Carrillo Ibarra, a senior, was named the 2020 Outstanding Graduate in Visual Art. A member of the National Art Honor Society, she was honored for consistently creating work that is formally, technically and conceptually sound. Jackelin will attend UNC Greensboro this fall.

Jennifer Trejo Benitez, a senior, was named the 2020 Outstanding Graduate in Vocal Music. The JMArts Scholar was winner of the 2019 Sing and Play student music competition, received the highest rating awarded at the 2020 High School Choral MPA statewide evaluations and has performed with the All-Chatham Chorus. She also has received accolades for her memorable dramatic performances, most recently as Ariel in “The Little Mermaid” and the Witch in “Into the Woods”. Jennifer reports this summer to begin service in the U.S. Navy.

More information about JMArts, including details about JMArts Scholars and upcoming events, is available at jmarts.org.

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Five JM student artists named 2020 JMArts Scholars

SILER CITY, N.C. — Five students have been named JMArts Scholars by the Jordan-Matthews Arts Foundation, recognizing their excellence and dedication to the arts.

They are Brady Andrew, Tiana Brooks, Laci Burt, Josselyn Gonzalez Hernandez and Andrea Santiago. Brooks is the 2020 JMArts-Rotary Scholar, receiving a scholarship provided by the Rotary Club of Siler City.

JMArts Scholars generally receive funding for intensive summer study at weeklong, residential workshops on university campuses. But because summer arts programs have been canceled statewide during the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s honorees will receive a $100 award deposited in their Jordan-Matthews High School arts accounts, which can be used to purchase specialized arts supplies or attend arts performances during the academic year. Sophomores and freshmen returning to JM for the 2021-22 academic year will be guaranteed summer study next year.

Scholarships are funded through individual contributions to the foundation and from income generated by ticket sales for the annual fall musical, fundraising projects and admission from a few major concerts during the academic year.

“So many things have been disrupted for our students this spring that we wanted to give them this honor,” said JMArts President Rose Pate. “And we want to give them hope that learning about what they love will continue.”

The artists had applied for scholarships before summer workshops were canceled. Andrew was planning to attend the UNCG Summer Music Camp in Greensboro, Brooks had applied for the UNCG Summer Arts and Design Intensive, Burt was making her second trip to the UNC Music Workshop in Chapel Hill, Gonzalez Hernandez was planning to attend the NC State High School Music Technology Camp in Raleigh and Santiago was applying for the ECU Summer Band Camp in Greenville.

Since creating the awards eight years ago, JMArts has presented 67 scholarships to 44 students, with some receiving awards to study for more than one summer. The initiative was designed to help young artists develop their talent, explore artistic options before making their college decisions and bring what they learn back to share with other Jordan-Matthews students.

Businesses and individuals interested in contributing to the JMArts Scholars program or other projects for high school artists may contact Pate at 919-742-2916 or rpate@chatham.k12.nc.us. Checks can be mailed to JMArts, PO Box 395, Siler City, NC, 27344.

More information about JMArts, including details about JMArts Scholars and upcoming events, is available at jmarts.org.

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