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Walker’s Rising Stars

Joining us for a star-studded evening celebrating the arts!

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].

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Thank You to Our Sponsors!

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