Students Shine in 16th Annual OAA Poster Contest
The Okaloosa Arts Alliance (OAA) recently celebrated the winners of its 16th Annual Okaloosa County School Poster Contest, themed “Arts in Outer Space.” A total of 138 creative entries from students across the county were showcased at a public reception on Sunday, May 4, at the Emerald Coast Science Center. Attendees enjoyed live music from Grow Your Gift Conservatory of Music and refreshments from Twisted Grape.
Special thanks go to the Science Center for hosting the event and to Melissa Forte Litscher of NextHome Cornerstone Realty for sponsoring. Eglin Federal Credit Union provided gift cards for the winners, while HH Arts, Arts & Design Society, and the Science Center donated art supply bags and tickets for first-place and Viewer’s Choice recipients.
Participating schools included Rocky Bayou Christian School, Crestview High, Kenwood Elementary, Montessori Learning Center, Village Christian Academy, Risen Star Academy, St. Mary Catholic School, Meigs Middle and Ruckel Middle School.
Winners:
Elementary (K–4th)
- 1st: Christine Blatz, 1st grade – Montessori Learning Center
- 2nd: Rachel Ard, Kindergarten – Montessori Learning Center
- 3rd: Alexa Gonzalez, 4th grade – Kenwood Elementary
Middle School (5th–8th)
- 1st: Aria Berry, 8th grade – Rocky Bayou Christian School
- 2nd: Ahymn Kim, 6th grade – Ruckel Middle School
- 3rd: Trinity Ricciardi, 6th grade – Rocky Bayou Christian School
High School (9th–12th)
- 1st: Jingxuan Lee Song, 10th grade – Crestview High School
- 2nd: Ryan Jaime, 11th grade – Crestview High School
- 3rd: Kennedy Glenn, 12th grade – Crestview High School
To view winning entries and photos, visit: okaloosaarts.org.
The OAA serves as Okaloosa County’s official arts agency, promoting the arts through advocacy, education and community engagement.
Artists Invited to Apply for 30th Annual Festival of the Arts!
The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) is now accepting artist applications for the 30th Annual Festival of the Arts, set for October 25–26, 2025, at the Dugas Pavilion in Destin.
This juried show features over 100 artists and awards more than $12,000 in prizes! Mediums include painting, sculpture, photography, jewelry, and more. Artists benefit from amenities like free breakfast, booth sitters, and an awards dinner.
Applications, including four images, are due by June 30, 2025. Fees are $30 to apply and $350–$700 for booth space. Proceeds support MKAF’s arts outreach programs. Details at mkaf.org or call (850) 650-2226.
Fort Walton Rehab Wins Statewide Photo Contest
In celebration of National Skilled Nursing Care Week, the Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) has named Fort Walton Rehabilitation Center the first-place winner of its 2025 Long Term Care Photo Contest.
The annual contest, themed “Inspiring Moments,” drew over 200 entries from across Florida. Fort Walton Rehab’s winning photo, “Seeing Without Vision,” was taken by Certified Nursing Assistant Dorothy Conner and captures a joyful moment between a resident and her dog, Barney, during a pet therapy session.
The center received a $500 award for a resident and staff social event, and Conner was gifted a $50 card for her winning entry.
Second and third place went to Cypress Palms in Largo and Unity Health and Rehabilitation Center in Miami, respectively. All winners received funding for social events and recognition during FHCA’s annual events.
The contest, sponsored by Incite Strategic Partners, highlights meaningful moments in long-term care and promotes compassion, connection, and community. Winning entries are featured on FHCA’s Facebook page and website.
Sinfonia Youth Orchestra Ends Season on a High Note
The Sinfonia Youth Orchestra (SYO) wrapped up its 2024–2025 season with a moving and out-of-this-world Spring Concert on May 4 at Destin High School. Nearly 100 student musicians filled the auditorium with space-themed music, marking a joyful finale to a year of hard work, growth, and artistry.
The evening also celebrated standout students with heartfelt scholarship presentations. French horn player Kalle Guerrero, a homeschool student known for his leadership and compassion, received the prestigious Grace Fulcher Memorial Scholarship. Guerrero’s impact reaches far beyond music—he’s founded a homeschool co-op, mentored peers, and served individuals with disabilities.
Two new $500 scholarships were awarded this year. Violinist Ava McCallister (South Walton High) earned the Exemplary Character Scholarship for her integrity and resilience, while tuba player Zaki Beckler (Gulf Breeze High) received the Talented Musician Scholarship for his creativity and excellence.
Nine seniors graduated from the program this year, representing schools across Okaloosa and Walton Counties. Since 2007, Sinfonia Gulf Coast has reached over 220,000 students through its music education efforts.
Auditions for the 2025–2026 SYO season open in June. For more information, contact Margaret Gordon at mgordon@sinfoniagulfcoast.org or (850) 460-8800.
Comedy, Confusion, and Opera Collide in Lend Me a Tenor
Winner of three Tony Awards and four Drama Desk Awards, Lend Me a Tenor is a fast-paced farce set in 1934 at the Cleveland Grand Opera Company.
Chaos erupts when world-renowned tenor Tito Merelli—“Il Stupendo”—arrives late and accidentally takes a double dose of tranquilizers. Believing he’s dead, opera manager Saunders convinces his assistant Max to don Tito’s costume and go on in his place. Max stuns the audience, but when the real Tito wakes up and suits up to perform, the stage is set for outrageous confusion—two tenors, identical costumes and romantic mix-ups involving women in lingerie.
Don’t miss this uproarious night of mistaken identity and nonstop laughs!
Tickets at stagecraftersfwb.com or ticketor.com/stagecrafters.
