Talented Teens Sing and Dance Their Way to Scholarships

Winners performed with an ensemble at The Washington Post Music and Dance Awards Program. (By Bill O'leary -- The Washington Post)
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Monday, November 24, 2008; Page B04

A dozen high school performers won $24,000 in scholarships and joined other talented teenagers in dazzling a crowd at the Warner Theatre on Saturday night at The Washington Post Music and Dance Scholarship Awards Program.

The program featured performances by high school seniors from throughout the Washington region. More than 150 students competed for the scholarship awards this year. Since its inception in 2002, more than $150,000 in scholarships has been awarded.

The show was hosted by actress Jasmine Guy and news anchor Jim Vance of WRC (Channel 4). The Washington Post, Freddie Mac and Washington Gas were the major sponsors, with about 30 other companies providing additional backing. Rickey Payton Sr., president and chief executive of Urban Nation HIP-HOP Choir, is the event's producer.

The scholarship winners will receive $2,000 apiece. They are:

Wilhelmina Agyapong, Woodbridge High School; Rachel Ahearn, McLean High School; Samuel A. Barham, Annapolis Area Christian School; Kirk William Benson, Sidwell Friends School; Shannon (Rebekah) Carpio, James Madison High School/Morning Star Academy; Maria Isabelle De Leon, Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School; Christopher Hsing, Montgomery Blair High School; Robert J. Moorman, W.T. Woodson High School; Carolina Peláez, Albert Einstein High School; Simone Rene Posey, Suitland High School; Joshua P. Sommerville, Gaithersburg High School; and Kimara Gregory Wood, Hayfield Secondary School.