Jo-Ann Ragosta, Chairperson of the ARTS Scholarships 2018 program at the Providence Performing Arts Center, along with the members of the Community Outreach Committee will present scholarships to 34 talented Rhode Island students, ages 11-14, at ceremonies at PPAC at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 3. The ceremony is open to family and friends. Each student will receive a scholarship up to $500 to attend a local summer arts education program of their choice.

Students participated in the competition by having their talents videotaped at PPAC and then presented to the committee, which is composed of PPAC directors, Rhode Island educators, artists and community leaders with an interest in the arts for young people.

“Their videos will be shown during the presentations, which will also be attended by Mayor Elorza, Senator Reed, and other dignitaries,” said Cynthia Goldsmith, director of PPAC’s Community Outreach Program. “It’s quite a party, a real celebration of the arts commemorating PPAC’s mission of developing arts opportunities for Rhode Island’s young people and making PPAC accessible to our diverse population.”

“We are so proud of the 542 students who have received the awards in the past,” Goldsmith said. “Many have gone on to programs at RIC, RISD, Trinity Rep, Festival Ballet, the R.I. Philharmonic Music School and others. We receive many letters thanking us and telling us how much the program has affected them.”

Joseph W. Walsh of Warwick, chairman of the PPAC Board of Directors, will present the scholarships to Brianna Callahan of Warwick Vets; Liam DeRosa, St. Paul’s School, Cranston; Maya Madison of Winman Junior High School, Warwick; and Mia Merlino and Kelly Picozzi of Western Hills Middle School, Cranston. Alexandra Cowart of Western Hills is the recipient of the Keri Anne O’Donnell Scholarship.