Administration

Altoona marks Isaac Awards anniversary with creation of scholarships

ALTOONA, Pa. — To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Isaac Awards, a community-based high school musical awards program, Penn State Altoona will award 10 $2,500 scholarships this spring to area high school students who plan to pursue an arts-related course of study at the campus. Existing scholarship endowments at the campus will be the sources of the funding for the scholarships totaling $25,000. To be eligible for consideration, students must be involved in a musical at a high school that will participate in the 2015 Isaac Awards, an awards ceremony conducted by Altoona Community Theatre (ACT) to honor excellence in high school musicals.

“As a sponsor of ACT and ongoing contributor to the existing Isaac Awards scholarship program, Penn State Altoona is proud to create scholarships that commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Isaacs and support the academic goals of area high school students,” said Penn State Altoona Chancellor and Dean Lori J. Bechtel-Wherry. “These scholarships reflect Penn State Altoona’s gratitude for ACT’s important role in enhancing the performing arts in our region and our ongoing commitment to fostering the intellectual and artistic talents of students who seek to achieve their professional aspirations through a college education.”

Eric Wolf, chairman of Altoona Community Theatre’s Isaac Awards Committee, said the mission of the Isaacs is to encourage and support excellence in high school musical theater in the region through an annual awards event that recognizes student achievement. Established in 2006, the Isaac Awards are presented in categories such as Best Actor and Actress in Leading Roles, Best Actor and Actress in Supporting Roles, Best Production and Best Musical Number.

“Penn State Altoona and Chancellor and Dean Lori J. Bechtel-Wherry have been supporters of the Isaac Awards since we began 10 years ago,” said Wolf. “We have been awarding scholarships to individual award winners since year two, but the generosity of Penn State Altoona will take our program to a new level. We are extremely grateful.”

The 2015 Isaac Awards ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, May 24, at Altoona’s historic Mishler Theatre. High schools committed to participating in the event are Altoona Area, Bald Eagle, Bedford, Bellefonte, Bishop Carroll, Bishop Guilfoyle, Central Cambria, Great Commission, Hollidaysburg Area, Moshannon Valley, Philipsburg Osceola Area, State College Area, Tyrone Area and West Branch.

Named in honor of Isaac Mishler, founder of the historic playhouse in downtown Altoona that serves as ACT’s production home, the Isaac Awards are patterned after Broadway’s Tonys but recognize student achievement specifically.

Last Updated February 19, 2015