SILER CITY, N.C. — Twenty-five actors, dancers, musicians and visual artists were honored for their outstanding work by JMArts at the school’s 2024 Senior Awards Ceremony, held in May to celebrate top Jordan-Matthews High School students across all disciplines.
Bryan Onda was named the 2024 Outstanding Graduate in Band. The alto saxophone player and veteran performer was part of the Jordan-Matthews band all four years of his high school career, performing in both the concert and pep bands. Band director Aaron Partin said Onda has been an important part of the school’s instrumental ensembles.
Kyleigh Martinez was named the 2024 Outstanding Graduate in Dance. The dancer was honored for her strong leadership in class and her willingness to try new things. Dance teacher Hannah Marr said Martinez was always passionate about being able to study dance in the two-year-old Jordan-Matthews dance program and always brought a “bright, bubbly energy to class.”
JMArts Scholar Serena Pietri was named the 2024 Outstanding Graduate in Jazz. The veteran trumpet player was an integral part of the Jordan-Matthews pep, concert and jazz bands, and performed with professional and other top local student musicians in the pit orchestra for the North Carolina school premiere of “Frozen: The Broadway Musical.” Band director Aaron Partin said her love for music is just one of the many reasons she was selected for the award. Pietri plans to attend Greensboro College this fall and major in music education.
Jacqueline Basilio was named the 2024 Outstanding Graduate in Theater. The veteran actor was honored during the summer of 2023 to study theater at the prestigious North Carolina Governor’s School, a six-week enrichment opportunity for top high school students across the state, and appeared in many Jordan-Matthews productions. She most recently appeared as Queen Iduna in the North Carolina school premiere of “Frozen: The Broadway Musical,” after also performing as Fiona in “Shrek: The Musical” and in various roles in “Oklahoma!”, “Clue” and “The Female Gaze.” Theater teacher Mikala Richardson said Basilio was a stellar student who brought true commitment and a genuine passion about the arts to everything she did. Basilio plans to attend Central Carolina Community College this fall.
Jacquelinne Rodriguez Hernandez was named the 2024 Outstanding Graduate in Visual Art after investing four years of study in Jordan-Matthews art classes and always bringing an impressive outlook to the studio. Art teacher Laura Newman said Rodriguez Hernandez most notably worked hard to overcome language barriers and demonstrated a clear dedication and sustained commitment to her work.
Jose Corona Vicente and Sandra Lopez were both named 2024 Outstanding Graduates in Vocal Music.
Corona Vicente is an outstanding vocalist who showed dedication, passion and a genuine love for vocal music. He performed with the One Chatham Chorus and Jordan-Matthews a cappella choir, as Prince Hans in the North Caroilna school premiere of “Frozen: The Broadway Musical” and a soloist for Arts Day at the North Carolina Legislature. Choral director Allison Blaylock said Corona Vicente grew tremendously over his last year, not only in vocal ability, but also in confidence and leadership — all attributes leading to his selection for the award. Corona Vicente plans to enroll in Central Carolina Community College this fall with the goal of transferring to a four-year university through the college’s dual-admission program.
Lopez is an exceptional musician who was a standout leader vocal music class. She performed in the One Chatham Chorus and Jordan-Matthews a cappella choir, as Olaf in the North Carolina school premiere of “Frozen: The Broadway Musical" and as a soloist and guitarist for Arts Day at the North Carolina Legislature. Choral director Blaylock said Lopez was selected for her outstanding musicianship, dedication and leadership throughout her tenure. Lopez plans to enroll in Central Carolina Community College this fall with the goal of transferring to a four-year university through the college’s dual-admission program.
Other awards recognized outstanding students early in their high school studies who have already demonstrated significant artistic potential.
Jobanny Benitez Espinoza, a freshman, received the 2024 Young Actor Award for demonstrating great potential on stage — especially in his role as The Bishop in “Frozen: The Broadway Musical” — and for his willingness to take artistic risks.
Dulce Herrera Duarte, a sophomore, received the 2024 Young Artist Award for her attention to detail in artistic work and her long-term potential to develop as a talented artist.
Gisele Lopez Hernandez, a sophomore, received the 2024 Young Dancer Award for everything she brought to class — including an infectious energy, carefree spirit, eagerness to learn and exceptional caring about her fellow dancers.
Amariah Payne and JMArts Scholar Jonathan Vasquez, both sophomores, each received 2024 Young Instrumentalist Awards. Payne, a trumpet player and new member of the band, grew significantly in musicianship over just one semester of study and arrived in rehearsal every day ready to learn and help others. Vasquez, a baritone saxophonist and marching band section leader, was honored for his love for music and the people around him.
JMArts Scholar Delaney Fuquay, a freshman, received the 2024 Young Vocalist Award for her natural vocal talent and for her inspiring dedication, kindness and love for making music as part of the ensemble for “Frozen: The Broadway Musical.”
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 Felix Banks, Abigail Cockrum, Delaney Fuquay, Tavvy Gray, Carolyn Lucero Santiago, Natalie Morales Zagada, Eleanor Reece, Ayden Saxe, David Ta’Bon, Jonathan Vasquez, Maxy Vasquez and Samantha Wieber.
Three JMArts awards recipients were honored in separate ceremonies earlier this year. They are Karsyn Vann and Andrey Ureña-Seceña, who received the Kaitlin James Theater Award before the closing performance of “Frozen,” and Stephanie Aleman, who received the 2023 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 2024 Senior 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, from left, Sandra Lopez, Jose Corona Vicente, Delaney Fuquay, Jacquelinne Rodriguez Hernandez, Jacqueline Basilio, Kyleigh Martinez, Bryan Onda, Jonathan Vasquez and Serena Pietri. (Photo by Rose Pate)
