Congrats to the Grads – Class of 2021

Arts Council of Plant City Scholarship Recipients


Sara Demolli
is a graduating senior in the Theater Department at Howard W. Blake Magnet School for the Performing Arts. She was awarded one of the Arts Council’s $1,000 Scholarships this school year due to her inspiring essay and application. She lives in Plant City and attended Walden Lake Elementary, eventually going to school at Progress Village Middle Magnet where she studied dance, theater and chorus.

Sara has loved the theater since she saw Plant City Entertainment’s production of Brigadoon and was encouraged to audition for the summer show. She is an active member of many PCE productions, both on and off the stage. Her favorite role was ‘Ruby’ in Dames at Sea. Over the years she has performed at many Plant City events including Plant City Heritage Festival/Pioneer Days with Dance Connection, she sings at Christmas Lane as part of Ms. Sherry’s Studio, she has performed for the Arts Council of Plant City at their events including ChiliFest, and she performed at and is a volunteer for the Florida Strawberry Festival. She has won top honors in Thespian Competitions and received the Monti 2019 Hall of Fame Best Young Star Award.
 
Sara will be attending East Carolina University, where she will study for a BFA in Theater with a concentration in Music Theater. We look forward to seeing Sara in all of her future endeavors.
Liam Salb is a graduating senior from Durant High School and is another recipient of the Arts Council’s 2020-2021-$1,000 Scholarship. Liam will be attending Hillsborough Community College in the Fall, then he will be moving to the University of Florida to pursue an Architecture Degree.

Liam has played a major role in the Florida Business Leaders of America and the National Juniors Classical League. He received 1st Place for the FBLA District Political Science. Liam’s goal is to help his community by restoration of many existing schools in our community as well as enhancing/developing the parks and recreational areas.

We wish Liam all the very best and look forward to seeing his architectural career unfold in the years to come.

Connor Woods is our third recipient for the 2020-2021- $1,000 Scholarship. Connor was an honor graduate at Strawberry Crest and is also Phi Theta Kappa at HCC. He participated in the Fashion and Yearbook Staff at Strawberry Crest.

He is an avid member for the charity, Boards for Bros.  He received the award for “Just Showing Up,” and was also given the title of “Ambassador for his commitment and volunteer work as a Youth Skate Camp Counselor. Connor has dedicated more than 500 hours in refurbishing skateboards and giving them back to communities with kids who may not be able to afford them. He teaches the basics of skating and helps kids gain the confidence they need to pursue the street sport.
 
We’re encouraged by Connor’s willingness to give back to his community, and we wish him much success in his future plans.

Tampa History Center Field Trip

Gwen Thomas, Vice President of the Arts Council put together a field trip for the board to visit and dine at the Tampa History Center in downtown Tampa. We all enjoyed an afternoon learning more about Tampa Bay and having a delicious lunch at the Columbia Restaurant. Gwen was very surprised when her son called ahead and had a cake delivered at lunch. It was an eventful and tasty day!