Meet This Year’s Shoreline’s Top Talent: Scholarships in the Arts Awardees

Photo ID L to R: Sarah Gavagan, Devin Patton, Elya Bottiger Elaina Zachos, Julia Orosz, Tiffany Li, Eric Dillner, Deboray Heinrich, Sarah Marsoobian, Sarah McDonald, Emily Benzi, Maia Murdock, Kyle Bejnerowicz, and Erin Hutchinson.  Photo Credit: Judy Barbosa

In 1981 Shoreline Arts Alliance established its scholarship awards to encourage and recognize high school juniors and seniors from the Shoreline region who are outstanding in their art discipline.  This program, the only one of its kind in Connecticut, recognizes the six art disciplines of Creative Writing, Dance, Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, Theatre and Visual Arts.  We are continually amazed at the passion and commitment of those who apply and commend all of this year’s applicants for their diligence in submitting the application and preparing for performance auditions or portfolio reviews.

Professionals in each of the six categories judge and select the winners and special recognition awardees.  The winners receive a $1,000 cash award and both the winners and special recognition students are paired with a mentor in the respective art disciplines who meets with the students and provides insight and helpful information regarding the business of the arts.  Shoreline Arts Alliance congratulates this year’s awardees:

            Creative Writing:
            Winner:                       Erin Hutchinson, Haddam-Killingworth High School-Senior
            Special Recognition:  Elaina Zachos, Daniel Hand High School-Senior

            Dance:

            Winner:                       Emily Benzi, Eastern CT Ballet/ Westbrook High School-Senior
            Special Recognition:  Sarah Marsoobian, Eastern CT Ballet/ Guilford High School-Senior

            Instrumental Music:  

            Winner:                       Maia Murdock, Guilford High School-Senior
            Special Recognition:  Sarah McDonald, Valley Regional High School-Senior

            Vocal Music:

            Winner:                       Kyle Bejnerowicz, Guilford High School-Senior

            Special Recognition:  Julia Orosz, Coginchaug Regional High School-Senior

            Theatre:

            Winner:                       Elya Bottiger, Guilford High School-Senior

            Special Recognition:  Devin Patton, Guilford High School-Junior

            Visual Arts:

            Winner:                       Sarah Gavagan, Guilford High School-Senior

            Special Recognition:  Tiffany Li, Daniel Hand High School-Senior

Photos of the event will soon be available.  Click here. 

A special filming of the awards presentation took place on Tuesday, June 4 in the studio of Guilford Cable Television. Each of the award winners was also presented with a special proclamation from the Senators and Representatives from their town. These proclamations were presented by former State Representative Deborah Heinrich, Madison.  The ceremony will be aired shortly in Guilford and the towns in our region.  It will also be available on YouTube.  In addition to the awards presentation there is also a short personal interview with each of the recipients to learn a little bit about them and their future plans. 

Shoreline Arts Alliance thanks the many sponsors of this program.  Without their support it would not be possible to recognize and celebrate the talents of our high school students and to reward their achievements.  Sponsors are: John Matthews & Elizabeth Halvorsen, Guilford Art League, Mark Serchuck & John Casso, Joseph & Denise Marie Mendler, Anna & Stuart Subotnick, Donita & John Aruny, Susan & Joe DeLaurentis (Tiger Group, Inc.), Kiki & Ted Kennedy, Madison Art Society , Joseph Schiffer*, Marlene & Shepard Stone*, Dr. Monya Elgart (Eye Doctors of Connecticut),  Andy & Bonnie McKirdy, Melissa & Eric Thornburg, David Grewall and Daniela Cammack, Bill Freeman and Alicia Dolce (Celebration Development Group), Mrs. Anne Schenck*, Barbara & Bruce Galaski*, Barbara Taggart*, Kathleen Leitao*, John Little*, Sandra and Paul Beckman, Marcus Simpson (Associated Medical, Inc.), David & Susie Duncan, Brian & Ellen Buttolph*, Barbara & Richard Malinsky,  Pat & Keith Cunningham, Richard Squeri*, Paul & Nancy Sullivan, Alan & Polly Fitz, Gerald Degenhardt & Wendy Gifford, Alan Weiss*, Peter Borgmeister*, Amy Barry, and Pat Todd. (*in memory of David Buttolph).

Shoreline Arts Alliance’s Scholarships in the Arts has served the towns of Branford, Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Durham, East Haven, East Haddam, East Lyme, Essex, Guilford, Haddam, Ivoryton, Killingworth, Lyme, Madison, Middlefield, Moodus, North Branford, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Salem, and Westbrook.  For the 2014 program we will be extending the opportunity to include students from Cromwell, East Hampton, Middletown, and Portland.  To apply students must have primary residence in one of the 25 towns and be in 11^th or 12^th grade.  Students who are home schooled, attend private day schools or boarding schools are eligible to apply.  Applications for the 2014 Shoreline’s Top Talent may be downloaded at www.shorelinearts.org in the fall.  Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), and audition and portfolio review dates will be on-line in the fall as well.  For additional questions or for more information please contact Donita@ShorelineArts.org or call the office at 203-453-3890.