The Pavilion Honors Exceptional Arts Students Through the Arts in Action Awards Program
THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion’s Arts in Action Awards program is designed to recognize, reward and inspire young talent in the fine arts across middle and junior high schools in the greater Houston area.
This year, The Pavilion honored 32 outstanding students from 5 school districts, each nominated by their fine arts teacher. These students were celebrated not only for their artistic excellence but also for their dedication, leadership, and contributions to their school communities. Award recipients received a certificate and a small gift from The Pavilion and will be spotlighted on its social media and digital platforms.
"The Pavilion is incredibly honored to recognize these extraordinarily talented students and their dedication to both their school and community,” said Ashley Gravois, Assistant Director of Arts Outreach for The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. "These students represent the bright future of the arts, and I am excited to see them continue to grow and inspire others through their work.”
Brian Eisemann, a band teacher at Cox Intermediate School thanks The Pavilion, “It is really good to be able to recognize our best students,” he said. “The Pavilion is fantastic for everything they do in the community.”
The following students were recipients of the 2025 Arts in Action Award:
- Abygail Flores, Keefer Crossing Middle School
- Adrian Walle, Autumn Ridge Middle School
- Alejandra Hernandez, Spring Leadership Academy
- Alexander (Sasha) Tarasenko, Mitchell Intermediate School
- Alicia Repke, Mitchell Intermediate School
- Andrea Gilliam, Spring Leadership Academy
- Autumn Coffey, Edward Roberson Middle School
- Caroline Murphee, Clark Intermediate School
- Chloe Rodriguez, Hofius Intermediate School
- Delia Barker, Schindewolf Intermediate School
- Ella Coyle, Gordon Reed Elementary School
- Emilia Castillo, Jean E Stewart Elementary School
- Garrett Peterson, McCullough Junior High School
- Gracelynn Thompson, Springwoods Village Middle School
- Keneth Cruz, Veterans Memorial Intermediate School
- Kyle Nwaguru, Edward Roberson Middle School
- Lania Light, Doerre Intermediate School
- Layla Malveaux, Clark Intermediate School
- Leo Robledo, Edward Roberson Middle School
- Marc Flores, Keefer Crossing Middle School
- Marcus Orozco, Twin Creeks Middle School
- Marlee Patty, Jean E Stewart Elementary School
- Michael Chaney, Stockton Junior High School
- Morgan Youngblood, Hofius Intermediate School
- Owen Nielsen, York Junior High School
- Paige Wardinsky, Knox Junior High School
- Piper Crookham, Tom Cox Intermediate School
- Sara Stevens, Twin Creeks Middle School
- Serene Yining Huang, McCullough Junior High School
- Sofia Santibanez, Dueitt Middle School
- Will Labonski, Knox Junior High School
- Zyana Blackman, Bammel Middle School
“Beyond her performance accomplishments, she is a reliable and dedicated student, always punctual and going the extra mile by arriving early and staying late to practice or assist both directors and fellow students. She not only sets a high standard for her peers but actively contributes to the growth of others, offering guidance and mentorship across grade levels,” says one nominating teacher.
Another teacher says of their student, “He exhibits a quiet leadership in his choir. He is not a thermometer, but rather a thermostat who ‘changes’ the atmosphere for the better, not only in choir but wherever he is.”
As part of their non-profit mission, The Pavilion creates and facilitates programs that enable the next generation of artists to grow and learn. The Arts in Action award program was implemented in 2021 and gave the organization an amazing opportunity to impact arts students that due to COVID-19 were not able to attend physical events at the venue.
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Opened in 1990, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is part of The Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands, a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization that provides diverse, high-quality performing arts events for the entertainment and enrichment of a broad regional audience. Through numerous educational and community outreach programs, The Center is a catalyst for attracting new audiences to the performing arts and building strong ties between the arts and educational institutions.