FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The finalists for the Walton Arts Center’s 2025-26 Diamond Awards have been announced.
The Diamond Awards recognize outstanding performances in local high school musical theatre productions.
This year, 12 schools were set to compete for the best actor, best actress, best supporting performers, best ensemble performance, outstanding educator, and the student-voted spirit of the Diamond Award.
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The following finalists have been chosen from each school:
Alma High School, with its performance of Footloose the Musical
Three students were chosen for best lead actress
Elizabeth Marine, playing Ariel Moore
Morgan English, playing Rusty
Cali Ferguson, playing Vi Moore
One student was chosen for best lead actor
Levi Dobbs, playing Reverend Shaw
Two students were chosen for best supporting performer
Grace Mummert, playing Wendy Jo
Gianna DeWitt, playing Urleen
One student was chosen for outstanding vocal performance
Cali Ferguson, playing Vi Moore
One student was chosen for outstanding dance performance
Andrew Bush, playing Ren McCormack
AHS was also selected as a finalist for Best Ensemble Performance
Arkansas Arts Academy High School, with its performance of Seussical
Two students were chosen for best lead actress
Maura Jemmett, playing Gertrude McFuzz
Mahek Heyer, playing Mayzie LaBird
One student was chosen for best lead actor
Matteo Ford, playing the Cat in the Hat
Two students were chosen for best supporting performer
Karleigh Watson, playing Mrs. Mayor
Paeton McDonald, playing Sour Kangaroo
Bentonville High School, with its performance of The Secret Garden
Two students were chosen for best lead actress
Catharyn Nell, playing Martha
Teagan Callahan, playing Lily Craven
Two students were chosen for best lead actor
Isaac Sides, playing Archibald Craven
Jonah Reckner, playing Dickon
One student was chosen for best supporting performer
Jenna Scott, playing Colin Craven
One student was chosen for outstanding vocal performance
Isaac Sides, playing Archibald Craven
One student was chosen for outstanding acting performance
Jonah Reckner, playing Dickon
BHS was also selected as a finalist for Best Ensemble Performance
Bentonville West High School, with its performance of Frozen
Two students were chosen for best lead actress
Deerga Ramu, playing Elsa
Hayden Casey, playing Anna
Two students were chosen for best lead actor
Elijah Taylor, playing Kristoff
Wyatt Felix, playing Olaf
Three students were chosen for best supporting performer
Kamryn Richey, playing Pabbie
Jackson Wright, playing Weselton’s Lackeys
Fletcher Adams, playing Oaken
BWHS was also selected as a finalist for Best Ensemble Performance
Clarksville High School, with its performance of Little Women the Musical
One student was chosen for best lead actress
Carleigh Morgan, playing Jo March
One student was chosen for best lead actor
Braxtyn Martin, playing Laurie
One student was chosen for best supporting performer
Sansa Meadows, playing Aunt March
One student was chosen for outstanding vocal performance
Sansa Meadows, playing Aunt March
One student was chosen for outstanding acting performance
Sansa Meadows, playing Aunt March
CHS was also selected as a finalist for Best Ensemble Performance
Farmington High School, with its performance of Legally Blonde the Musical
One student was chosen for best lead actress
Olivia Freeman, playing Paulette
One student was chosen for best lead actor
Blayden Redding, playing Emmett Forrest
Two students were chosen for best supporting performer
Shaylee Philips, playing Serena
Violet Luther, playing Enid
One student was chosen for outstanding acting performance
Olivia Freeman, playing Paulette
FHS was also selected as a finalist for Best Ensemble Performance
Fort Smith Southside High School, with its performance of Big Fish: School Edition
One student was chosen for best lead actress
Jay Mills, playing Sandra Bloom
Two students were chosen for best lead actor
Bryson Gosch, playing Will Bloom
Connor Glasscock, playing Edward Bloom
One student was chosen for best supporting performer
Kendall Nobles, playing Jenny Hill
One student was chosen for outstanding dance performance
Karen Leite, the lead tap dancer
FSSHS was also selected as a finalist for Best Ensemble Performance
Greenwood High School, with its performance of Tarzan
One student was chosen for best lead actress
Abigail Minor, playing Jane Porter
One student was chosen for best lead actor
Waylon Saber, playing Tarzan
Har-Ber High School, with its performance of Matilda
One student was chosen for best lead actress
Lily Breeding, playing Mrs. Wormwood
One student was chosen for best lead actor
Gabriel Bently, playing Mr. Wormwood
One student was chosen for best supporting performer
Laikyn “Henry” Hinesley
HBHS was also selected as a finalist for Best Ensemble Performance
Harrison High School, with its performance of Footloose the Musical
One student was chosen for best lead actress
Braxton Hill, playing Ariel Moore
One student was chosen for best lead actor
Landon Clements, playing Ren McCormack
One student was chosen for outstanding acting performance
Jaezyn Ricketts, playing Willard
Rogers High School, with its performance of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical
Two students were chosen for best lead actor
Daniel Villa, playing Grover
Nathaniel Coker, playing Percy Jackson
One student was chosen for best supporting performer
Bella H, playing Sally Jackson
Van Buren High School, with its performance of Shrek the Musical
One student was chosen for best lead actress
Jenna Cossey, playing Princess Fiona
One student was chosen for best lead actor
Beyton Baker, playing Shrek
One student was chosen for outstanding vocal performance
Anixxa Chen, playing the Dragon
VBHS was also selected as a finalist for Best Ensemble Performance
Multiple teachers were also chosen for the Sparkle award, recognizing teachers who help students excel.
Danny Hobson, from Alma High School
Samanthe Burrow, from Bentonville High School
Emily Schiavone, from Bentonville West High School
Kayla Abernathy, from Bentonville High School
Zac Perry, from Farmington High School
Tim Peerbolte, from Greenwood High School
Tony Terrell, from Har-Ber High School
Becky Dixon, from Harrison High School
Amy Pumphrey, from Fort Smith Southside High School
Jessica Fisher, from Van Buren High School
The awards ceremony will be on Saturday, May 23 at 5 p.m. Tickets are $5 for students and $15 for adults, with prices subject to change.
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