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SLT Performing Arts & Education Scholarship

The Smithfield Little Theatre Performing Arts & Education Scholarship Fund was created in honor of our 50th year Anniversary. The purpose of the scholarship is to provide financial support to a deserving student who has shown interest in the performing arts and is pursuing higher education at a two or four year accredited college or university.

SLT will be awarding a onetime $1,500.00 (one thousand-five hundred dollars) scholarship each year to a **high school graduating senior in the Western Tidewater area and Surry, which includes: Isle of Wight, Suffolk, Franklin and Southampton County. SLT PARTICIPANTS and VOLUNTEERS (only) may apply regardless of their geographical area.  In the event an eligible H.S. senior isn’t chosen, a current undergraduate student, that meets all the criteria, will be considered.

The scholarship recipient will be evaluated by a selection board appointed by the scholarship chairperson; independent from the Smithfield Little Theatre Board of Directors.

Criteria for Applicants

  1. Must have been accepted or will be attending an accredited two or four year college or university as a full-time student.
  2. Must use the scholarship for the academic year it was awarded; starting with the Fall semester of said year.
  3. Must possess “above average” scholastic, academic and extracurricular achievements.
  4. Must have traits that exemplify high moral character (i.e. honesty, self respect, reliability, self control, personality, service, patriotism and responsibility).
  5. Should also possess leadership ability and be actively involved in school and community activities.
  6. **IF home-schooled, additional criteria may need to be met - including, but not limited to – completing one full time semester of college BEFORE applying.
  7. Applicants may only apply once.

Payment of Scholarship Benefits

The SLT Performing Arts & Education Scholarship will be paid upon receipt of an original “Proof of Enrollment” statement on school letterhead. The check will be made payable to the applicant and the college or university, jointly. The applicant must provide the schools policy for “proof of enrollment” within ten (10) days of being awarded the scholarship. The recipient will then be assigned a deadline date to submit verification of enrollment.

IMPORTANT DATES
Application Deadline:
Award Announced by:
Proof of Enrollment (college’s policy):
Check disbursed:
Request Check - Deadline:
Friday, March 17th, 2023
Friday, May 19th, 2023

MUST respond within ten (10) days of award letter.
After original “proof of enrollment” received
Friday, September 8th, 2023
Scholarship Mission Statement
Scholarship Mission Statement and Criteria for Applicants
Scholarship Application
Scholarship Application
Scholarship Donation Form
Scholarship Donation Form
For those interested in donating please download the Scholarship Donation Form and follow the instructions.

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The Smithfield Little Theatre Board of Directors and the Scholarship Fund committee
would like to thank the generous contributors to our scholarship fund.


Benefactor: Farmers Bank (Richard Holland) $5,000.00


COMMUNITY FRIENDS:
Anonymous Donors
Jim and Elaine Abicht
Ray and Shirley Barlow
Capt. F.M. Barrett
Mr and Mrs M.T. Bloxom
Barbara Bonney
Steve and Darnell Bowler
Elizabeth G. Bradshaw
Adele and Andrew Brooks
Drs. Scotty Buchanan and Lloyd Faul
Jacquelyn A. Clark
Bob and Paula Cole
Ken Congleton and Barbara Redd
Colonial Funeral Home
William and Jane Constant
Virginia Cramer
Marty and Nancy Lynn Delk
Dominion Foundation Matching Gift Program (in care of Lois Little)
Bobbi Donnelly
Leslie and Felix Dunaway
Catherine B. Duncan
Helen Edwards
J. Groves
John and Elaine Hallinger
Hallwood Enterprises, Inc.
Hallwood Properties I, LLC
John R. and Lousie J. Harrup
Mike Hildreth

Dr and Mrs Bernard F. Jamison
Home Sweet Home Care, Inc.
Hinton D. Hurff, Sr.
Robert S. Jones
William Laine
Lewis and Sandy Little
Lois Little
Peter and Angie Lowry of Decorating Den Interiors
Joseph and Theresa Mattingly
Martha and Mack McLean
Vincent J. Mollura
Jean and John Moody
Wayne Nast
Gus and Rose Nurney
Nell and Sonny Owen
Catherine Owens In Memory of Jim Groves
Thomas VanPetten
Don and Carol Rhoton
Farris and Eulane Rose
Smithfield Foods Incorporated - Employees
Smithfield Little Theatre - Concessions
Smithfield Packing Co., Inc - Employees
Cliff and Goldie Stewart
Billye and Bob Walton
Charles and Rosemarie White
Joyce and Rex Williams
Bert and Eddie K. Willard
James and Patricia Yoder
James and Dianna Yoko
Jack and Nan York

2022 SLT Scholarship Presentation

SLT Scholarship winner Rachel Hall
Rachel Hall
Matthew Miller
Matthew Miller
2022 SLT Scholarship winner
Aubrey Price
Smithfield Little Theatre officially announces, THREE (3) winners of the annual SLT Performing Arts and Education Scholarship; in its eleventh year.

Aubrey Price of Smithfield High School attending James Madison University, Matthew Miller of Windsor High School attending Virginia Tech and Rachel Hall former home schooled student attends The American Musical Dramatic Academy were chosen from among many fine, well-qualified, talented students throughout Isle of Wight, Suffolk, Surry, Franklin, and Southampton County. They will EACH be awarded a one-time $1,500.00 (one thousand-five hundred dollars) scholarship.**

They plan to pursue degrees in Marketing, Biology and Dance Theatre, respectively.

Their parents are Mr. & Mrs. Jason & Amber Price, Mr. & Mrs. Mark & Carmen Miller and Mr. & Mrs. Robert & Leigh Hall, respectively.

Congratulations TO ALL!

2022 Scholarship Selection Committee
**The Selection Board consisted of Hugh Copeland, Executive Director of Hurrah Players; Susan Babiy-Lawrence, Suffolk Cultural Arts Center retired Executive Director and Elaine Abicht, Smithfield Foods retired Executive, co-owner of The Christmas Store of Smithfield and co-founder of the non-profit Smithfield Music. They independently deliberated to process the various applicants; the individual results were tabulated, and final candidates were confirmed.

2020 SLT Scholarship Presentation

Elizabeth Kitchen
Penelope Franklin
Smithfield Little Theatre officially announces, the winners of the annual SLT Performing Arts and Education Scholarship; in its ninth year.

Smithfield Little Theatre officially announces, two winners of the annual SLT Performing Arts and Education Scholarship; in its ninth year.

Colby Cook of Smithfield High School attending Randolph College and Penelope Franklin of James Madison University were chosen from among many fine, well-qualified, talented students throughout Isle of Wight, Suffolk, Surry, Franklin, and Southampton County. They will each be awarded a one-time $1,500.00 (one thousand-five hundred dollars) scholarship.**

They plan to pursue degrees in Communications & Sports Management, and Communication Sciences & Disorders, respectively.

Their parents are Mr. & Mrs. Milton & Kirstin Cook, and Mr. & Mrs. Rheh & Bonnie Franklin, respectively.

Congratulations TO ALL!​
Elizabeth Kitchen
Colby Cook

2020 Scholarship Selection Committee
​**The Selection Board consisted of Hugh Copeland, Executive Director of Hurrah Players; Susan Babiy-Lawrence, Executive Director of Suffolk Cultural Arts Center and Elaine Abicht, Smithfield Foods retired Executive, co-owner of The Christmas Store of Smithfield and co-founder of the non-profit Smithfield Music. They independently deliberated to process the various applicants; the individual results were tabulated, and final candidates were confirmed.

2019 SLT Scholarship Presentation

Elizabeth Kitchen
Elizabeth Kitchen
Smithfield Little Theatre officially announces, the winner of the annual SLT Performing Arts and Education Scholarship; in its eighth year.

Elizabeth Kitchen, of Smithfield High School, attending Thomas Nelson Community College was chosen from among many fine, well-qualified, talented students throughout Isle of Wight, Suffolk, Surry, Franklin and Southampton County. She will be awarded a one-time $1,000.00 (one thousand dollars) scholarship.**

She plans to pursue a Science degree.

Her parents are and Mr. & Mrs. John & Pam Kitchen of Carrollton.

Congratulations Elizabeth!

2019 Scholarship Selection Committee
**The Selection Board consisted of Hugh Copeland, Executive Director of Hurrah Players; Susan Babiy-Lawrence, Executive Director of  Suffolk Cultural Arts Center and Elaine Abicht, Smithfield Foods Executive, co-owner of The Christmas Store of Smithfield and co-founder of the non-profit Smithfield Music. They independently deliberated to process the various applicants; the individual results were tabulated and final candidates were confirmed.

2018 SLT Scholarship Presentation

Emily Wilda 2018 Scholarship winner
Emily Wilda
Vaughn Briggs 2018 Scholarshop winner
Vaughn Briggs
Smithfield Little Theatre officially announces, TWO (2) winners of the annual SLT Performing Arts and Education Scholarship; in its seventh year.
Emily Wilda of Isle of Wight Academy, attending Christopher Newport University and Vaughn Briggs of Smithfield High School, attending Virginia Tech University were chosen from among many fine, well-qualified, talented students throughout Isle of Wight, Suffolk, Surry, Franklin and Southampton County. They will EACH be awarded a one-time $1,000.00 (one thousand dollars) scholarship.**

They plan to pursue majors in Business and Meteorology, respectively.

Their parents are and Mr. & Mrs. Michael & Kristin Wilda of Smithfield and Mr. and Mrs. Robb & Lynn Briggs of Smithfield, respectively.

Congratulations TO ALL!

2018 Scholarship Selection Committee
**The Selection Board consisted of Hugh Copeland, Executive Director of Hurrah Players; Susan Babiy-Lawrence, Director of Development, Suffolk Cultural Arts Center and Elaine Abicht, Smithfield Packing Executive, co-owner of The Christmas Store of Smithfield and co-founder of the non-profit Smithfield Music. They independently deliberated to process the various applicants; the individual results were tabulated and final candidates were confirmed.

2017 SLT Scholarship Presentation

Kendall Stalls
Kendall Stalls
Kimberly Marchant
Kimberly Marchant
Stacey Sharpe
Stacey Sharpe
Smithfield Little Theatre officially announces, for the second time, THREE (3) winners of the  annual SLT Performing Arts and Education Scholarship; in its sixth year.

Stacey Sharpe of Nansemond River High School, attending Virginia Commonwealth University, Kendall Stalls of Smithfield High School, attending University of South Carolina and Kimberly Marchant formerly Smithfield High School, currently a student of James Madison University, were chosen from among many fine, well-qualified, talented students throughout Isle of Wight, Suffolk, Surry, Franklin and Southampton County. They will EACH be awarded a one-time $1,000.00 (one thousand dollars) scholarship.**

They plan to pursue majors in Instrumental Music Education; Pre Med/Biochemistry/ Molecular Biology; and Health Sciences/Pre-Physicians, respectively.

Their parents are Mr. and Mrs. Eric & Gloria Sharpe of Suffolk; Mr. & Mrs. James & Tracy Stalls of Carrollton; and Mr. & Mrs. Howard & Meredith Marchant of Smithfield, respectively.

Congratulations TO ALL!

2016 Scholarship Selection Committee
**The Selection Board consisted of Hugh Copeland, Executive Director of Hurrah Players; Susan Babiy-Lawrence, Director of Development, Suffolk Cultural Arts Center and Elaine Abicht, Smithfield Packing Executive, co-owner of The Christmas Store of Smithfield and co-founder of the non-profit Smithfield Music. They independently deliberated to process the various applicants; the individual results were tabulated and final candidates were confirmed.

2016 SLT Scholarship Presentation

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Smithfield Little Theatre officially announces the winner of the fifth annual SLT Performing Arts and Education Scholarship.

Dustyn W. Bain, a senior at Windsor High School, was chosen from among several fine, well-qualified, talented students throughout Isle of Wight, Suffolk, Surry, Franklin and Southampton County. He will be awarded a one-time $1,000.00 (one thousand dollars) scholarship.**Dustyn will be attending James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. 

He has plans to pursue a Major in Theatre Education and Athletic Training and will use this scholarship to achieve that goal. James Madison University recently awarded Dustyn a theatre scholarship as well.

Dustyn has been more of a scholar throughout school, but once bitten by the 'thespian bug' he discovered a whole new 'inner' person. "One can't be affected by something as much as I have been affected by theatre and not wish to pursue it......it has changed my life."

In the future, Dustyn plans to teach theatre because he hopes to present other young people with the same world of self expression his teacher afforded him through theatre; to quote Dustyn from his essay "a world of creativity and self expression; a whole new world of possibilities."

He is the son of Tommie Bain and Michele Marsee of Windsor.

Congratulations Dustyn!

2016 Scholarship Selection Committee
​**The Selection Board consisted of Hugh Copeland, Executive Director of Hurrah Players; Susan Babiy, Director of Development, Suffolk Cultural Arts Center and Elaine Abicht, Smithfield Packing Executive, co-owner of The Christmas Store of Smithfield and co-founder of the non-profit Smithfield Music. They independently deliberated to process the various applicants; the individual results were tabulated and a final candidate was confirmed.

2015 SLT Scholarship Presentation

W. Bradley Fielding
W. Bradley Fielding
Smithfield Little Theatre officially announces, for the first time, THREE (3) winners of the fourth annual SLT Performing Arts and Education Scholarship.

W. Bradley Fielding of Smithfield High School, attending Northwestern University, Hannah Dewing of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, attending Washington and Lee University and Lindsey Ball (not pictured) of Windsor High School, attending Liberty University were chosen from among many fine, well-qualified, talented students throughout Isle of Wight, Suffolk, Surry, Franklin and Southampton County. They will EACH be awarded a one-time $1,000.00 (one thousand dollars) scholarship.**  They plan to pursue majors in Music, Theatre & Broadcast Journalism, and American Sign Language & Interpreting, respectively.

Their parents are Mr. and Mrs. Stuart & Patricia Fielding of Smithfield, Mr. & Mrs. Andy & Mary Dewing of Suffolk, and Mr. & Mrs. James & Jamie Ball of Windsor, respectively.

Congratulations TO ALL!
Hannah Dewing
Hannah Dewing

2015 Scholarship Selection Committee
**The Selection Board consisted of Hugh Copeland, Executive Director of Hurrah Players; Susan Babiy, Director of Development, Suffolk Cultural Arts Center and Elaine Abicht, Smithfield Packing Executive, co-owner of The Christmas Store of Smithfield and co-founder of the non-profit Smithfield Music. They independently deliberated to process the various applicants; the individual results were tabulated and a final candidate was confirmed.

2014 SLT Scholarship Presentation

Skyler Norman Scholarship Presentation
Smithfield Little Theatre officially announces the winner of the third annual SLT Performing Arts and Education Scholarship.

Lauren Peters, a senior at Smithfield High School, was chosen from among many fine, well-qualified, talented students throughout Isle of Wight, Suffolk, Surry, Franklin and Southampton County. She will be awarded a one-time $1,000.00 (one thousand dollars) scholarship.**

Lauren will be attending Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia.

Lauren has plans to pursue a Major in Music Education and will use this scholarship to achieve that goal. Longwood is also considering Lauren for a music scholarship at their university.
  
Lauren has been in several Smithfield Little Theater Productions with the most recent being “Hairspray”. She discovered her acting talent during a summer youth camp hosted by ISPY Productions, held at Smithfield Little Theatre.
  
In the near future, Lauren plans to teach music to the musically inclined and inspire others to discover their own musical talents. She wants others to strive to be the best they can be, just as she has done. To quote Lauren from her applicant essay, "I soar through the boundaries and shoot for the stars!"

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Lynn Peters of Smithfield.

Congratulations Lauren!


2014 Scholarship Selection Committee

**The Selection Board consisted of Hugh Copeland, Executive Director of Hurrah Players; Jackie Cherry, Executive Director/CEO of Suffolk Cultural Arts Center and Elaine Abicht, Smithfield Packing Executive, co-owner of The Christmas Store of Smithfield and co-founder of the non-profit Smithfield Music. They independently deliberated to process the various applicants; the individual results were tabulated and a final candidate was confirmed.

2013 SLT Scholarship Presentation

Skyler Norman Scholarship Presentation
Smithfield Little Theatre officially announces the 2013 winner of the second annual SLT Performing Arts and Education Scholarship.

Skylar Norman of Smithfield was chosen from among many fine, well-qualified, talented students throughout Isle of Wight, Suffolk, Surry, Franklin and Southampton County. He will be awarded a one time $1,000.00 (one thousand dollars) scholarship.**

Skylar is a former home-schooled student who is currently working to finish his Associates Degree in Science at Thomas Nelson Community College. He is slated to attend William & Mary in the spring of 2014. He will be majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. He has a current GPA of 3.87. Skylar aspires to attend graduate school, receive a doctorate and become a practicing scientist.

He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Kelvin and Kimberly Norman of Smithfield.

Congratulations Skylar!


2013 Scholarship Selection Committee

**The Selection Board consisted of Hugh Copeland, Executive Director of Hurrah Players; Susan Babiy, Director of Development of Suffolk Cultural Arts Center and Elaine Abicht, Smithfield Packing Executive, co-owner of The Christmas Store of Smithfield and co-founder of the non-profit Smithfield Music. They independently deliberated to process the various applicants; the individual results were tabulated and a final candidate was confirmed.

First Annual SLT Scholarship Presentation

Scholarship Presentation
Elaine Dairo Presenting the SLT scholarship check to Tayrn Johnson
June 3, 2012

Smithfield Little Theatre officially announced the winner of the first SLT Performing Arts and Education Scholarship at our 50th Anniversary Gala Sunday, June 3rd, 2012 at the Smithfield Center.

Taryn Johnson of Smithfield High School was chosen from among many fine and well-qualified, talented students of Isle of Wight, Suffolk, Surry, Franklin, and Southampton County.  The scholarship is a one time award for $1,000 (one-thousand dollars).**

Taryn is attending Roanoke College in the Honors Program. She is currently majoring in Bio-Chemistry. She is pursuing her love of flute through participation in the Pep Band.

Taryn received academic scholarships from Roanoke College, a band scholarship from Smithfield High School, and the Otter-Caribou Heritage Scholarship from the AAAA Scholarship Foundation.

She is the daughter of William and Valerie Johnson of Smithfield, twin sister to her brother Nathaniel (VA Tech) and younger sister to her brother Casey (William & Mary).

Congratulations Taryn!


2012 Scholarship Selection Committee

** The Selection Board consisted of Hugh Copeland, Executive Director of Hurrah Players; Jackie Cherry, Executive Director/CEO of Suffolk Cultural Arts Center and Elaine Abicht, Smithfield Packing Executive, co-owner of The Christmas Store of Smithfield and co-founder of the non-profit Smithfield Music. They independently deliberated to process the various applicants; the individual results were tabulated and a final candidate was confirmed.


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