Press Release January 7, 2014

MIAMI, FL– Adjenai Worrell of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, who is a homeschooled student, is a National YoungArts Foundation Honorable Mention Winner in Popular Voice. Out of approximately 11,000 applications from students in ten disciplines across the literary, performing, visual and design arts fields, Adjenai has been recognized for her outstanding work and accomplishments.

“Every year I look forward to reviewing our applications because each one is so inspiring,” stated Paul T. Lehr, President & CEO of the National YoungArts Foundation. “I congratulate all 687 Winners who are incredibly talented and are who we consider to be the most promising young artists in America today.”

YoungArts Winners are designated into three categories– Finalist, Honorable Mention and Merit–and are selected through a blind adjudication process. Honorable Mention award Winners receive at least $250 and along with all 2014 Winners are eligible to participate in the Emmy-nominated HBO series YoungArts MasterClass and in YoungArts’ regional programs–YoungArts Miami (February 12-17, 2014), YoungArts Los Angeles (March 18-23, 2014) and YoungArts New York (March 31-April 6, 2014)–space permitting. During these life- changing experiences, participants will take intense master classes and workshops with internationally renowned artists and will have the opportunity to present their work to the public.

All Winners receive a certificate of achievement, a recommendation letter, and the choice to be added to the YoungArts Student List Service (SLS). If added, their information will be sent to participating colleges, universities and professional schools. These schools have expressed interest in identifying young artists they may offer opportunities for admission and/or financial aid, and may be in touch with Winners regarding scholarship opportunities.

Winners also become part of the YoungArts alumni network of 17,000 artists, some of whom have gone on to become leading professionals in their fields including actresses Vanessa Williams, Viola Davis, and Kerry Washington; actor, musician, and filmmaker Adrian Grenier; four-time Tony Award nominee Raúl Esparza; CEO of American Ballet Theatre Rachel Moore; recording artists Nicki Minaj, Chris Young and Josh Groban; Metropolitan Opera star Eric Owens; musicians Terence Blanchard and Jennifer Koh; choreographer Desmond Richardson; visual artist Hernan Bas; and internationally acclaimed multimedia artist Doug Aitken. YoungArts maintains a relationship with its alumni by integrating them into national programs and local events, supporting their projects and seeking ways to promote their artistic ideas and establish connections for them with YoungArts’ partners around the country.

YoungArts is the exclusive nominating agency for the U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, the highest honor that can be awarded to any artistically talented graduating high school senior. Every year YoungArts nominates 60 YoungArts Winners to the White House appointed Commission on Presidential Scholars, 20 of whom are then selected to become U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts.