- November 22, 2024
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School District of Manatee County students were able to showcase their talents during the annual Manatee Arts Education Council's Arts Alive March 27.
Arts Alive at the Grove in Lakewood Ranch featured performances from the Braden River High School jazz band and the Lakewood Ranch Mustang Players.
Bill Ferrell, a commercial art teacher at Braden River High School, was awarded the Barbara Turner-Grace Visual Arts Education Award.
"I once had the honor of being called a wizard by one of my former students," Ferrell said. "The word 'wizard' derives from 'wisely.' If I had any wisdom, from all my years of teaching, it's understanding the magic of what we do is empowering our students."
Roxane Caravan, the theater director at Lakewood Ranch High School, was awarded the Dr. Sherry Lawrence Theatre Education Award.
"My life is art," Caravan said. "The past 23 years at Lakewood Ranch High School have been extremely rewarding. … The most rewarding experience as an educator is watching your students achieve, grow, lead and go on to have successful lives. Many of our alumni have successful careers in all areas of the arts, but also success stories in many careers outside of the arts as well. I am grateful to have shared my love, passion and commitment to theater with so many throughout my years."
Both Ferrell and Caravan said they were humbled for receiving their respective awards and honored to see their students' work being showcased at Arts Alive.