We should all be proud.

The small group of young people from the region, Boothbay Region YMCA Y Arts, traveled to Atlanta, Georgia two weeks ago and came home big winners – they were presented with an Outstanding Production award at the 2024 Junior Theater Festival (JTF) and were one of nine groups to perform at the closing ceremony. Also, four members of the cast of “Godspell Jr.” were also honored. Spencer Pottle won a Freddie G Outstanding Individual Performance award. Imij Armstead made it to the callback to a yet-to-be announced special project promoting musical theater in schools, and Sophia Mansfield and Scout Martin were named Performance All-Stars, a select group of outstanding performers.

Bravo Y Arts and its director Emily Mirabile!

There were 125 groups from 30 states, as well as Washington, D.C., Canada and Australia, participating in the festival.

Some history of Boothbay Region Y Arts’ participation at JTF was provided in a press release to the newspaper this week. It reminded us of just how proud we should be of this program.

Y Arts first attended JTF in 2009.

In 2011, 2010 and 2009 at JTF Atlanta, the students earned a Freddie G Outstanding Production award and performed at the closing ceremonies for all attendees.

In 2010, Y Arts was one of four educational theater groups from across the country to perform for all festival attendees in the New Works Showcase.

In 2021, Y Arts took part virtually in the JTF Online Edition (JTF OE) and was awarded a Freddie G Excellence in Ensemble Work award; they also won this same award in 2020 and 2017 at JTF Atlanta. In 2016 and 2012 at JTF Atlanta, the students won a Freddie G Excellence in Acting award.

Students Rick Hilscher and Jackie McLoon (2018 JTF Atlanta); Jackie McLoon, Rick Hilscher and Noelle Timberlake (2017 JTF Atlanta) and Genevieve Taylor (2016 JTF Atlanta) won Freddie G awards for Outstanding Student Direction and Choreography. Roosevelt Bishop (2009 JTF Atlanta) earned an Outstanding Individual Performance award.

Students Emerson Harris and Kayleigh Tolley (2017 JTF Atlanta) made it to the callback for future shoots for “how-to” choreography videos for soon-to-be released musicals.

In 2010, four Boothbay students – Nate Friant, Kate Friant, Rick Hilscher and Sophia Thayer – made it to the callback and were cast in the national choreography videos for “Fame JR.”

Disclaimer: I am the proud grandfather of two talented granddaughters who have been involved with Y Arts for several years.