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Jun 2, 2026 3 min read

The Fayette County Cultural Trust and the Rotary Club of Connellsville announce the recipients of the 2026 Fayette County Achievement in the Arts Awards, marking the program’s 12th anniversary of recognizing exceptional student talent throughout Fayette County.

The Achievement in the Arts Awards celebrate outstanding accomplishments in visual arts, music, and theater among high school students who have demonstrated creativity, dedication, leadership, and artistic growth within their schools and communities.

The mission of the Fayette County Achievement in the Arts Awards is to recognize, reward, and encourage advancement and achievement in music, theater, and visual arts among high school students in Fayette County. This collaborative initiative between the Fayette County Cultural Trust and the Rotary Club of Connellsville continues to highlight the importance of arts education while encouraging young people to pursue their talents and creative passions.

This year’s recipients are:

Albert Gallatin High School

• Anna Loomis, visual arts, taught by Ken Musko and Kristen Venturino

• Logan Seese, theater, taught by Rebecca Taylor

• James Shutz, music, taught by Gail Diamond

Brownsville Area High School

• Cameron Philips, visual arts, taught by Brian Nicholson

• Samuel Vollstedt, music, taught by Bethany Hughes, M.S.

• Caitlin Miske, theater, taught by Margaret Farrier

Connellsville Area High School

• Aaron Michaels, music, taught by Michelle Harbaugh

• Chloe Tikey, theater, taught by Jude Gore

Frazier High School

• Makenna Gourn, visual arts, taught by Karen Babyak

• Alyssa Blair, music, taught by Ryan Gerney

• Lola Lombard, theater, taught by Vince Rafail

Geibel Catholic Junior-Senior High School

• Jenna Buchheit, theater, taught by Gene Dangelo

• Mazzie Tomallo, music, taught by Gene Dangelo

Laurel Highlands High School

• Anna Hudock, visual arts, taught by Mike DeFazio

• Jackson Wade, theater, taught by Lauren Stewart

• Tyler Williams, music, taught by Mark Santore

Uniontown Area High School

• Charity Dolan, visual arts, taught by Rebecca Gartley

• Isa Braun, theater, taught by Wyatt Wilson

• Richie Show, music, taught by Wyatt Wilson

Certificates of recognition and monetary stipends are distributed to each participating school, allowing teachers and administrators to present the awards to students before the end of the academic year. Recipients are nominated by their peers and educators, making the awards especially meaningful as they reflect both artistic accomplishment and the respect of fellow students and teachers.

Programs such as the Fayette County Achievement in the Arts Awards play an important role in supporting arts education throughout Fayette County. In an era when arts programs often face financial and scheduling challenges, these awards help reinforce the value of creativity, performance, imagination, and self-expression within the educational experience. The initiative not only honors talented students but also encourages future generations to continue exploring the arts as an important part of community life, cultural identity, and personal growth.

As the program celebrates its 12th anniversary, the Fayette County Cultural Trust and Rotary Club of Connellsville continue their commitment to investing in the young artists of Fayette County and recognizing the lasting impact the arts have on schools, communities, and the future of the region.