Clovis Unified School District hosted the 48th annual Danny Awards at the Mercedes Edwards Theatre on Tuesday, May 14. Visual and Performing Arts students came together in front of family and friends, walking the red carpet in a Hollywood-style ceremony and getting recognition for their work.
The awards, named after former Clovis Unified teacher and local theater supporter Dan Pessano, recognizes the top talents within the district for the year.
Sophomore Terell Morris was at the Danny’s to represent Clovis North’s “Wedding Singer,” which was nominated for Best Featured Musical.
“It’s my first year at the Danny’s, so I’m excited to be here,” Morris said. “To see all these people come out here and come out in their outfits, it’s so exciting.”
Clovis North drama student Ethan Marsh wasn’t nominated for an award, but he came to the Danny’s to perform “It’s your wedding day” from “Wedding Singer.”
“We put in a lot of hard work this year, so now the show is over and we’re finally at a point where we can just enjoy a night to celebrate,” Marsh said. “I’ve been excited for this a long time.”
For Clovis High School, drama student Chloe Shoulet was one of the representatives at the Danny’s.
“I came out here to support our musical “Sugar” from Clovis High School and I’m excited to see who wins,” Shoulet said.
Dan Pessano, who was one of Clovis Unified’s early drama teachers, started the tradition when he started handing out awards to his students. The awards show has continued to grow in the years since then and is now celebrated as a district wide event which includes all five high schools within Clovis Unified.
Here is a list of the winners:
2019 DANNY AWARDS
Best actor: Bryant Howard, “Radium Girls” – Buchanan
Best actress: Mikayla Rockwell, “Peter and the Starcatcher” – Clovis North
Best featured actor: Dante LeDonna, “Dad’s Christmas Miracle” – Clovis West
Best featured actress: Karlie Stemler, “Peter and the Starcatcher “ – Clovis North
Best supporting actor: Connor Barton, “Peter and the Starcatcher “ – Clovis North
Best supporting actress: Sydney Ennis, “Peter and the Starcatcher “ – Clovis North
Best actor – musical: Micah Nicholson, “Sugar” – Clovis High
Best actress – musical: Tie: Luciana lopez-aita and Dezi Heinz
Best featured actor – musical: Luke Norton, “42nd Street” – Clovis East
Best featured actress– musical: Alexandra West, “Into the Woods” – Buchanan
Best supporting actor– musical: Luke Colvard, “Sugar” – Clovis High
Best supporting actress– musical: Karlie Stemler, “Wedding Singer” – Clovis North
Director’s award
Abigail Bryant
Robert Budd
Timothy Lucey
Zachary Guerra
Autumn Anderson
Clarysta Ochs
Kayla Streeter
Alexandra West
Clovis North Class of 2019
Technical Achievement
Sarah Lane
Maggie Braa
Sunshine Decastro
Claire Zante
Student Choice Best Musical
Tie: Mamma Mia – Clovis West and The Wedding Singer – Clovis North
Student choice best play
Tie: Clue – Clovis East and Radium Girls – Buchanan
Lifetime M.V.P.
Elizabeth ‘biz’ Fiester