Young Artist Awards 2025
Four outstanding high school seniors received the 2024 Young Artist Awards at a reception at Arts and Culture El Dorado’s Switchboard Gallery at 525 Main Street in Placerville.
The event, held on Thursday, April 24, also honored the memory of four bright lights in the El Dorado County community who greatly supported the arts. Their lives represent the talent, thoughtfulness, generosity, and commitment to the community that makes El Dorado County a special place to live. The Young Artist Awards were presented in four categories: the Richard H. Bush Award for Music; the Joey Cattone Award for Visual Art; the Lanny Langston Award for Theater; and the Jane Van Camp Award for Nature-Inspired Art. Awardees received a $500 honorarium.
“The Young Artist Awards reception is one our favorite events of the year,” says Terry LeMoncheck, Executive Director of Arts and Culture El Dorado. “Bringing the talented students together to recognize their outstanding achievements in the company of their families, the educators who nominated them, and the families for whom the awards are named, is truly special. These exceptional young people are some of the best and brightest in El Dorado County, and we couldn’t be more proud of them.”
Oak Ridge senior Sydney Zak, selected by Paul, Maggie, and Leslie Bush, received the 2025 Richard H. Bush Award for Music. Sydney, nominated by Nathan Tilley, is a member of Oak Ridge High School’s Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Indoor Percussion, and Marching Band. Sydney plans to pursue a career in music education. “Sydney is highly proficient, responsible, kind, talented, and motivated,” said Nathan Tilley. “She is a musician with fierce determination and drive, and I am so excited to see what she will accomplish.”
Ponderosa senior Gabriella Bencomo, selected by Dan Cattone, received the 2025 Joey Cattone Award for Visual Art. Gabriella, nominated by Jennifer Schrock, is a talented artist in a variety of mediums, including pencil drawing, colored pencil, graphite, collage, and gouache. Applying herself with “outstanding dedication” to her craft, Gabriella “uses her art as a powerful tool for storytelling, evoking thought and emotion in her audience,” said Jennifer Schrock.
El Dorado High School senior Carlie Rumsey received the 2025 Lanny Langston Award for Theater. Carlie, nominated by Paul Tomei, is a leader at her school, at Imagination Theater, at the Crocker House, and in the El Dorado County community. Carlie, who plans to pursue a career in theater, “never ceases to impress with her amazing singing voice and ability to make detailed and well-thought-out character choices,” said Paul Tomei. “She is insightful, has amazing instincts, and is just a powerhouse on the stage.”
El Dorado High School junior Sofia Rodriguez received the 2025 Jane Van Camp Award for Nature-inspired Art. Sofia, nominated by Krista Potter, is a gifted visual artist and a standout student in the Natural Resources Program. “Sofia is incredibly generous with her artistic ability and our school is more beautiful and informed due to her contributions,” said Krista Potter. “Sofia's art and her actions bring light to our community.”
An annual program, the Young Artist Awards will continue to celebrate the great promise of younger generations and honor the lives and legacies of those bright lights who came before them.
