Annual Governor’s Awards in Arts Education
Elizabeth Public Schools
Twelve students from Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy competed in the Annual Governor’s Awards in Arts Education, sponsored by the Speech and Theatre Association of New Jersey. This is a highly competitive, statewide competition that took place on the campus of Montclair State University on Saturday, January 6, 2024. Students competed in categories such as Dramatic Monologue, Comedic Monologue, Musical Theatre Solo, Scenes, and Shakespeare. Students were judged and received valuable feedback from industry professionals. The following students earned special recognition for their efforts:
- 3rd place for SCENE – performing a scene from A Raisin in the Sun, directed by Erika Hicks
- Actors: Angelina Benatar, Za’Niyah Shell, and Shamar Thomas
- 2nd Place for DRAMATIC MONOLOGUE – performing a monologue from A Raisin in the Sun
- Actor: Shamar Thomas
- 2nd Place for BEST ACTRESS overall: Za’Niyah Shell
- 1st Place for BEST ACTOR overall and the Governor’s Award for BEST ACTOR was awarded to Shamar Thomas.
The 2024 STANJ Governor’s Award for Outstanding Teacher of Theatre was awarded to Sandra Toll, teacher of Theatre Arts at Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy, recognizing her years of dedicated service.
