VYT Senior Scholarship

Our 2023 (inaugural) award winners are Jonas Annear, Ava Morisi, and Sam Wasson. These individuals have been involved with VYT for many years and substantially contributed to our program. Each candidate submitted an application and an essay reflecting how the skills learned through participation in theatre have impacted them and how it might influence them in college and beyond.

Jonas Annear has been involved with VYT since 2015 and has appeared in 12 VYT shows. In his essay, he stated that he is grateful to have learned the skills of empathy, respect, and kindness through theatre. He believes these skills, above all else, will make him successful in the future. He will attend the University of Michigan in the fall, studying Communications & Media and Drama.

Ava Morisi has been involved with VYT since 2016 and has appeared in 7 shows and worked as an assistant choreographer on last year’s Wizard of Oz. Ava reflected that the theatre community had taught her more about herself than she could imagine. She’s heartbroken to say goodbye to VYT but feels the lessons she’s learned and the memories she’s made will be with her for the rest of her life. She will attend Indiana University in the fall, studying Environmental Studies and Sustainability.

Sam Wasson has been involved with VYT since 2015. He has appeared in 5 shows and worked as a student production assistant on The Little Mermaid. In his essay, he stated that theatre helped him learn the value of professionalism, specifically, the ability to work well with others as a team to do things creatively. Sam will attend Belmont University in the fall, studying Music Business.

Congratulations to these outstanding individuals. We have been lucky to have them in our program, and we will miss them. We wish them all the best and want them to know they will always have a home at VYT.

(Photo: VYT Producer and Board Member, Susie Gardiner awards Senior Scholarships to Sam Wasson, Jonas Annear (as Ursula) and Ava Morisi)

Established in 2022, the VYT Senior Scholarship annually recognizes a high school senior who has demonstrated a love of theatre and contributed as an enthusiastic and responsible member of a VYT show(s). This scholarship will be awarded each year in June to a VYT senior attending college in the fall.

The annual scholarship amount is $1000 and can be awarded to one or more applicants. The board can also grant additional Senior Scholarships at its discretion.

Applications are available here on this website in January each year and are due to VYT by May 31.

The board of VYT announces the scholarship winner annually at the final production of VYT’s spring show.