St. Petersburg, Fla. – Twenty-three of Pinellas County’s most gifted high school juniors and seniors took center stage at the Mahaffey Theater for the 2026 Rising Stars scholarship competition, a show-style event celebrating student artistry, dedication, and achievement.
Rising Stars is a year-long journey that challenges students to refine their skills, elevate their performances, and prepare for the spotlight. After advancing through multiple rounds of professional judging, top-performing Pinellas County Schools students earn the opportunity to compete on stage in six categories: Culinary, Dance, Instrumental Music, Theater, Visual Arts, and Vocal Performance.
Throughout the evening, the audience experienced powerful performances and inspiring creativity as finalists took the stage. Scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000 were awarded to first through fourth place winners in each category, recognizing both achievement and potential. Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to support students pursuing their post-secondary dreams.
“We congratulate each of our Rising Stars and celebrate the hard work and commitment that brought them here,” said Kim Jowell, Chief Executive Officer at Pinellas Education Foundation. “Supporting these students through scholarships is an investment in their future, and we are honored to play a role in their journey.”
The 2026 Rising Stars scholarship recipients are as follows:
Dance:
1st Place – Aubrey Xayasone, Tarpon Springs High
2nd Place – Eleanor Koh, St. Petersburg High
3rd Place – Hannah Bruce, Palm Harbor University High
4th Place – Michael Nikolas, Gibbs High
Instrumental Music:
1st Place – Alana Samson, East Lake High
2nd Place – Jake Johnson, Tarpon Springs High
3rd Place – Kaleb Adams, Seminole High
4th Place – Paul Stoici, St. Petersburg High
Theater:
1st Place – Molly Bartholomew, Palm Harbor University High
2nd Place – Elijah Jordan, Gibbs High
3rd Place – Ian Wickham, Hollins High
4th Place – Mikaela Diana, East Lake High
Visual Arts:
1st Place – Baily Hall, Gibbs High
2nd Place – Finn Reddick, Gibbs High
3rd Place – Dziyana Rolik, East Lake High
4th Place – Sophia Julian, St. Petersburg High
Vocal Performance:
1st Place – Griffin Abrams, Tarpon Springs High
2nd Place – Bella Moss, Gibbs High
3rd Place – Veronica White, Seminole High
4th Place – Gabriella Califano, East Lake High
Culinary Arts (sponsored by The Ryan Wells Foundation):
1st Place – Sydney Young, Tarpon Springs High School
2nd Place – Jontae Nettles, Lealman Innovation Academy
3rd Place – Aiden Rowe, Tarpon Springs High School
2026 Rising Stars was generously supported by the McIntyre Family, Crown Automotive Charities, Publix Supermarkets Charities, Suncoast Credit Union, Elisa’s Greatest Wishes, The Ryan Wells Foundation, PBK Architects, and Wharton-Smith.
Special thanks are extended to the event emcee, Ernest Hooper; the City of St. Petersburg and the Mahaffey Theater, Pinellas County Schools multimedia team and performing arts department; volunteer judges; and Tarpon Springs High School Jazz Ensemble.
Video clips and photographs from tonight’s performances are available here.
About Pinellas Education Foundation:
Established in 1986, Pinellas Education Foundation is a nationally recognized, dynamic nonprofit organization committed to transforming students’ lives, empowering them to achieve their full potential, and providing teachers with the resources they need to excel in the classroom. Through innovative initiatives, a strategic partnership with Pinellas County Schools, and collaboration with community partners, we work tirelessly to accelerate educational achievement for all students. With a comprehensive approach to education, our programs cover the bookends of learning, beginning with an emphasis on literacy all the way through college and career readiness. Improving outcomes, especially for students with the greatest achievement gaps, is pivotal to our work. Our commitment to quality education spans the entire spectrum, and we are constantly evolving to address the ever-changing needs of students and teachers. To learn more, visit pinellaseducation.org.
