MONROE, CT — Masuk High School senior Audrey Lesko was awarded a $5,000 Steven A. Merrihew Performing Arts Scholarship from The Parker Project. Lesko is also nominated for a Sondheim Performing Arts Award.
Other recipients of Steven A. Merrihew Performing Arts scholarships were Amy Martinez of Brien McMahon High School and RCA ($10,000) and Varrick Nelson of Stratford High School ($5,000).
The Parker Project was established in 2007 as a 501c3 nonprofit organization by Nikole Lachioma Kirkpatrick. It began as a professional dance company whose goal was to share concert dance in the Tri-State area and raise funds to give back to the community and dancers.
Over time, it changed its mission statement to be about supporting the arts in the community by awarding scholarships to dancers, based on both financial need and a talent basis. The Parker Project has educational outreach to the inner city and community organizations.
To date, The Parker Project has awarded over $90,000 to graduating high school seniors in Fairfield County from the Steven A. Merrihew Performing Arts Scholarship. These graduating seniors are going on to study dance or musical theater in college.
In addition, over $50,000 has been given to local dancers for tuition, costumes, and fees in support of their local performing arts education.
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