2026 Launching Leaders in the Arts
Winners Gallery
Recognizing 11 Emerging Student Leaders
Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 Launching Leaders in the Arts program. This year’s applicants showcased an incredible range of talent, and it was a privilege to highlight their work and support their growth in the arts.
Art Awards
The range of mediums represented was both imaginative and impressive—from traditional fine art and photography to innovative digital works. These winning entries showcase remarkable creativity and technical skill. We are especially thankful to the teachers who encouraged these talented students to submit their work.
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2026 Art Judges: Diana de Avila, Barbara Jendrysik, Janice Newman, and Pamela Olin
Award of Excellence
Hana Mullen
Ice Cream Kids
Painting​​​​​​​​​​​
Pine View School
Pameal Novak, Teacher
2nd Place
Special Awards​
3rd Place
Angelika Beauvil
lè solèy la leve, na rewè (when the sun rises, we will meet again)
Painting​​​​
Manatee School for the Arts
Diane Rosenbarger, Teacher
Coral Sheridan
Fear
Digital​​​​
Manatee High School
Melissa Powley Link, Teacher
Honorable Mention
Lilliana McGrath
Rebirth of Aphrodite
Digital​​​​
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Booker High School
William Ferrell, Teacher
Cristal Saavedra
Caves of Velraath
Digital​​​​
Booker High School
William Ferrell, Teacher
Letters Awards
The Letters judges were impressed by the depth of thought and insight shown by students who entered this competition. ​​Through the written word, our winners captured life’s challenging topics and expressed their hopes, thoughts and dreams on the pages of their entries. They carried the reader along with them on their journey. Their work was both impressive and inspirational. Based on these entries, we are certain that they will go on to do great things in college, in their careers, and beyond. As they continue to document and tell the evolving story of their lives and those around them, we’ll be listening.
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2026 Letters Judges: Jane Bartnett and Ros Petti
Otto Group at Hightower Advisors
Award of Excellence in Letters
Maxwell Lindskog
Smiling Under The Lights
Non-fiction
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Sarasota High School
Gina Barresi, Teacher
Special Award
2nd Place
Megan Halperin
Lifeblood
Non-fiction
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Pine View School
Blake Wiley, Teacher
3rd Place
Nathan De Souza
On painting my room
Non-fiction
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Parrish Community School
James Walker, Teachers
Honorable Mention
Mia Morales
Fireworks Muted by While Walls
Poetry
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Riverview High School
Lynsey Davis, Teacher​
Eden Hurley
The Actor Without a Script
Non-fection
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Sarasota High School
Cheryl Wagner-Haller, Teachers
Music Awards
Seeking to enhance the expressiveness of a classic, eastern folk melody, our talented winner in this year’s category of Musical Composition explores unconventional chromatic harmonies that broaden the depth of the song’s emotional effect. In “Jasmine Flower,” you will hear a Chinese folksong reimagined by composer Evan Lian with the provision of a hauntingly beautiful “a cappella” structure in which the voices transcend ordinary interpretation. Evan’s future goals embrace his desire to contribute to western music through the infusion of traditional folkloric inspiration, but to also address “human well-being” by combining his dual passions of musical and medical pursuits.
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2025 Music Judges: Sandy Moulin and Donna Serio
Halide Smith Award of Excellence
in Music Composition
Evan Lian
茉莉花 (Jasmine Flower)
Composition
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Pine View School
Sarash Mayper, Teacher