Thanks to technology,

the show did go on! Newark Wins Nine 2020 ELENBE Awards!!!

It was another fantastic, albeit virtual, night this year for Newark High School as it won nine ELENBE awards May 26th during the 24th annual Wayne County Performing Arts Celebration.

Six of the awards relate to the fall drama production of “Argonautika” and three relate to the spring musical production of “Big Fish.” Both productions were directed by Emily Howard.

“I am very grateful to the Lyons National Bank and Wayne Arts for continuing this recognition program” she said afterward. “Thank you to everyone at Newark CSD who made this virtual event possible. It was a unique night, but I sincerely think it brought so much needed joy to many.

“I am so proud of both productions we created for the Newark stage this year,” Howard continued. “Every year I remind the cast and crew that winning or losing does not define our program or the hard work that we know we put into the pieces. However, I’m very excited for all of the winners and especially our overall win in the drama category!I continue to be impressed with the actors and technicians at Newark High School who step up to the challenge of whatever material I bring forward to produce. This year we tackled a play about Jason and his Argonauts that required an immense amount of memorization and character development. Most of the individuals played multiple roles. I also had standout student leadership in areas like lighting design (Isabella Bailey), puppet and makeup design (Cherylanne Garrett), Publicity (Ryan Hermenet). I am extremely proud of all 35 of the cast and crew of this production! It is always wonderful to see the spotlight shining on some exceptional performances. I’m very happy for the recipients!”

Newark’s awards included:• “Argonautika” won best drama production.• NHS senior McKinley Miller won best actress in

a lead role Athena in “Argonautika.” • NHS junior Jaston Brooks won best actor in a

musical for his role as Edward Bloom in “Big Fish.”• NHS senior Deborah Szarek won best

supporting actress in a drama for her role as Medea in “Argonautika.”

• NHS sophomore Ethan Meeks won best supporting actor in a drama for his role as Hercules in “Argonautika.”

• NHS sophomore Cody Acquista was the runner-up for best supporting actor in a drama for his roles as King Pelias, Idmon and Apstyros in “Argonautika.”

• NHS senior Isabella Bailey won featured actress in a musical for her role as Alabama Lamb in “Big Fish.”

• Acquista won featured actor in a musical for his role as Red Fang in “Big Fish.”

• Szarek also won best poster for “Argonautika.”Howard congratulated the winners.“McKinley Miller tackled the role with Athena in “Argonautika” with such ferocity. She embodied a

Greek Goddess/Warrior and always came to the rehearsal room with ideas and inspiration. “Jaston Brooks hardly left the stage as Edward Bloom in “Big Fish.” He successfully played a

character from teenager to 60-year-old. He brought depth to the emotional journey and made vocal choices that added so much color to the role.

“Ethan Meeks played Hercules in “Argonautika” with a fierce booming presence that commanded attention. He also really sank his teeth into the emotional side of the character who loses his best friend on the journey. 

“Cody Acquista deftly moved between three characters in “Argonautika.” He found physicalities and vocal inflections that brought each uniquely to life.

“Deborah Szarek brought a sense of stoicism to the role of Medea in “Argonautika.” Her regal presence added layers to the story. 

“Isabella Bailey shined as a singing and dancing Alabama Lamb in “Big Fish.” She is someone who always knows the choreography and is ready to work. 

“Cody Acquista showed off his tap dancing skills as Red Fang in “Big Fish.” He also served as our Dance Captain and we're lucky to have his leadership in the group.

“Deborah Szarek's artwork for “Argonautika” captured the harshness of the challenges that Jason was facing on his journey.”

ELENBEs are given out each spring at NHS to students and directors involved in musical and dramatic productions in 10 Wayne County schools. Because of the timing of the Covid-19 shutdown, Gananda’s musical production of “Curtains; Wayne Central’s performances of “The Sound of Music” and Williamson’s performances of “Matilda” were postponed.

Judges in the contest, sponsored by the Lyons National Bank, are members of the Wayne County Council for the Arts who attend every performance.

As he has done for the last 22 out of 24 years, Don Alhart, 13-WHAM TV anchor, with his inimitable wit and charm, was the Wayne County Performing Arts Celebration Master of Ceremonies _ this year via Zoom.

Because of technical difficulties, Robert Schick, Chairman and CEO of Lyons Bancorp Inc. and The Lyons National Bank, which has sponsored The ELENBEs program from day one, was unable to participate.

The Wayne County Performing Arts Awards Celebration program (The ELENBEs), was founded by former Newark Central School District Superintendent Robert Christmann, who was also Superintendent of the Grand Island School District before retiring in 2012. He was given a Lifetime Achievement award in 2007.

Lyons National Bank has funded this program in its entirety since the first year. The name of the award, The ELENBE, finds its source in the LNB letters representing the Lyons National Bank.

Photo from 2019 ELENBE event of Robert Schick, left, Superintendent Matt Cook and Don Alhart.

Thanks to Jim Miranda for providing some photos!