Since 1997, Young Audiences of Northeast Texas has supported arts in education and partnered with educators to bring unique arts experiences to students, teachers and schools.
Our Arts in Education Awards event honors the true heroes of the arts, arts educators themselves with an honoree reception followed by dinner and awards. Young Audiences of Northeast Texas has honored 40 exceptional Fine Arts Teachers over the last 10 years.
ARTS IN EDUCATION ICON AWARD
DR. SASHA VUKELJA
KAY ARMS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
FRANKLIN KIMLICKO
RISING STAR
JESSICA PARSONS
ARTS TEACHING EXCELLENCE – ELEMENTARY
LAURA HOGAN
ARTS TEACHING EXCELLENCE – MIDDLE SCHOOL
SHANNON RIOS
ARTS TEACHING EXCELLENCE – HIGH SCHOOL
ELIZABETH LADE
Videos created in partnership with KETK Creative Team:
Amy Noble, Jerry Morales, Nathan Browning, & Team Lead, Michael Lowe
Highlights from the 2024 Arts in Education Awards!
Photos courtesy of: Jamie Maldonado Photography
AWARDS
Kay Arms Lifetime Achievement
Presented to an educator who has dedicated his or her life to arts education.
Rising Star
Presented to an arts educator demonstrating excellence in his or her first 3 years of teaching.
Arts Teaching Excellence: Elementary, Middle School, High School
Presented to an elementary, middle and high school arts teacher who has gone above and beyond in their field.
Arts in Education ICON Award
This new award addition is a tribute to those whose extraordinary contributions transcend traditional boundaries, impacting both the education sector and the broader community. This prestigious honor recognizes visionary leaders, not only within educational realms but also as a beacon for artistic advocacy in society.
2023 Honorees
Kay Arms Lifetime Achievement – Dr. Cheryl & Michael Rogers
Rising Star – Remington Foster/Marshall High School (Marshall ISD)
Arts Teaching Excellence-Elementary – Bobi Jo Friesen/Brown Elementary (Whitehouse ISD)
Arts Teaching Excellence-Middle School – Jaylon Stewart/Chapel Hill Middle School (Chapel Hill ISD)
Arts Teaching Excellence-High School – Madalyn Evans/Rains High School (Rains ISD
This program is possible because of our generous sponsors! THANK YOU!
The Kay Arms Lifetime Achievement Award
Phil Rumbley (Tyler ISD) 2022
Jamie Reason (Tyler ISD) 2020
Laura Swartz (Tyler ISD) 2019
Denny Whitley (Whitehouse ISD) 2018
Distinguished Service to the Profession
Larry Wade Jr. (Tyler ISD) 2022
Regi Fowler (Tyler ISD) 2020
Angela Jennings (Tyler ISD) 2020
Dana Sepko (Tyler ISD) 2019
Rising Star
LePatrick Thomas (Tyler ISD) 2022
Ricardo Rodriguez (Tyler ISD) 2020
Adrienne Stine (Tyler ISD) 2019
Chauncy Williams (Winona ISD) 2019
Arts Teaching Excellence – Elementary
Jennifer Vaughn (Tyler ISD) 2022
Amanda Dunn-Meelkop (Tyler ISD) 2020
Kristin Pool (Tyler ISD) 2019
Cynthia Dempsey (Tyler ISD) 2018
Arts Teaching Excellence – Middle School
Brian Persinger (Tyler ISD) 2022
Bobi Jo Friesen (Tyler ISD) 2020
Amy Bailey (Lindale ISD) 2019
Glenn Ballard (Brook Hill) 2018
Arts Teaching Excellence – High School
Todd Dock (Diboll ISD) 2022
Kelly Laminack (Harmony ISD) 2020
Amy Clemens (Tyler ISD) 2019