The National High School Musical Theatre Awards, or the Jimmy’s, are the most recognized awards show in high school theatre. The awards are held in New York City in June and brings two talented student performers from each of the nation’s 43 Regional Awards Program.

“[At the Jimmy’s,] all of these incredibly talented students are in one place, performing with one another and sharing their talent and passion about musical theatre,” one of East Meck’s theatre performers, Julianna Kantor said.

Recently, East Meck senior, Anaya Truss-Williams, was selected as a finalist to be Student Reporter at this year’s Jimmy Awards. Truss-Williams was nominated for the Jimmy’s Student Reporter search by the Blumenthal Performing Arts organization.

Truss-Williams was also a Student Critic for the Blumey Awards in the Charlotte Metropolitan area. The goal of the Blumey Awards are to recognize and encourage performing arts in the area. As a Student Critic, she wrote reviews of musical shows at high schools in the area. This past spring, Truss-Williams reviewed The Phantom of the Opera at Covenant Day, Disney’s The Little Mermaid at Carmel Christian and Mamma Mia! at Weddington.

There are a total of nine finalists and only two will be chosen to go to New York City and cover the awards.

“I have always loved journalism and musical theatre so this opportunity would be the best of both worlds for me,” Truss-Williams said.

The easiest way to support her is to watch her submission video on the Jimmy Awards Facebook Page. The more engagement her video gets, the better her chances of being chosen as one of the Student Reporters increases. Help our eagle soar!