Walker’s Rising Stars
Walker’s Rising Stars, created by Dr. Jeffrey Walker in partnership with Pinellas Education Foundation, is more than just a competition. It’s a transformative, year-long journey that helps students sharpen their audition, portfolio, and performance skills.
Finalists compete for college scholarships across six dynamic categories: Culinary Arts, Dance, Instrumental, Theater, Visual Arts, and Vocal Performance.
Come celebrate the stars of tomorrow as they step into the spotlight and show the world what brilliance looks like!
Date:
May 5th, 2025
Doors Open: 6:00pm
Show Begins: 6:30pm
This is a free ticketless event!
Location:
Mahaffey Theater
400 1st St S.,
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
2024-2025 Walker's Rising Stars Scholarship Recipients
Dance
First Place
Emma Keaton
Palm Harbor University High School
Second Place
Madelyn McRitchie
Seminole High School
Third Place
Aubrey Xayasone
Tarpon Springs High School
Fourth Place
Tehya van Deutekom
Palm Harbor University High School
Instrumental Music
First Place
Naveen Yengera
Palm Harbor University High School
Second Place
Kevin Saenz
Osceola Fundamental High School
Third Place
Tess Thacker
Palm Harbor University High School
Fourth Place
Briana DeStoppelaire
St. Petersburg High School
Theater
First Place
Markos Halkias
East Lake High School
Second Place
Jesielle Rosenberg
Dunedin High School
Third Place
Gabriela Felton
Gibbs High School
Fourth Place
Mikaela Diana
East Lake High School
Visual Arts
First Place
Mia Hipolito
East Lake High School
Second Place
Kaitlyn Sudduth
Gibbs High School
Third Place
Satori Abdur-Rabbani
Gibbs High School
Fourth Place
Micah Carwile
East Lake High School
Vocal
First Place
Jocelyne Lioe
St. Petersburg High School
Second Place
Aiden Levine
Gibbs High School
Third Place
Ava Wagoner
Palm Harbor University High School
Fourth Place
Phoebe Robinson
Northeast High School
Culinary Arts
First Place
Elijah Salinas
Osceola Fundamental High School
Second Place
Emma Hallett
Tarpon Springs High School
Third Place
Alana Minor
Tarpon Springs High School
Sponsorships
For event inquiries, please contact Kiersten Keely at 727-588-4816, ext. 2111 or [email protected].