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ST. GEORGE — Four students at the Utah Arts Academy can now say they are award-winning artists.
The YoungArts competition is basically the Super Bowl for high school artists, according to Utah Arts Academy Principal Drew Williams. Four of his students clinched victories out of 11,000 entries from high school students across the country.
Sadie Barrowes and Emerson Williams won in songwriting, Melanie Petersen won in musical theater and Roxie Sparling won in the popular voice category. Drew Williams said in the songwriting and theater categories, his students were the only ones selected from Utah.
Roxie, 17, and Emerson, 16, won the "award with distinction," a higher honor only 150 students total received in the competition. With their wins, the two rising artists will travel to Miami in January for a weeklong experience of mentorship with industry professionals and the opportunity to earn scholarships.
Roxie submitted videos of herself performing three different songs that fit specific requirements and that she learned this year: "Anything" by Demi Lovato, "Sour Candy" by Melt and "All by Myself" by Celine Dion. She said she loved these powerful songs and was proud of all the work she put in to make it this far.
"I literally had no expectations going into this competition obviously because it's so big and prestigious, so when I got the call that I had won, I was ecstatic. I was in school, and I was out in the hallway by myself jumping up and down," Roxie said.
She feels grateful for the opportunity and hopes to inspire other people to chase their dreams, she said.
"It's just awesome to think we have such amazing talent at this school, and it's so inspiring," she said. "I'm just filled with a lot of gratitude; I honestly want to thank a thousand times my parents and teachers and everyone who supported me."
For the songwriting category, Emerson submitted her three original songs "Longer Legs," "Good Start" and "A Little Too Perfect," which all have a folksy vibe.
"I've loved being able to experiment and try new things. I love having really intricate guitar parts and sing at the same time — just having good writing where I can express how I am feeling in new ways that I feel like I haven't ever heard before," she said.
Emerson said she thinks she will be "in shock forever" and that it's hard for her to fathom she actually won and is going to Miami.
"It's crazy to be surrounded by so much talent and so many people that build you up. I'm pumped," she said, adding how grateful she is her parents "shoved" her into music at a young age.
Emerson said she is so grateful for all the support she has received from family and friends. "I don't think I would be here without them."
Both girls are excited to go to Miami to meet new people, make new connections and receive feedback so they can improve their skills.
As part of being a YoungArts winner, these students will now have access to an impressive network of artists in various artistic and musical industries, who can help them in furthering their careers.
Williams said some of his students have won in the past, but these are the first students to win the distinction honor. As a school of only 350 students that isn't connected to a major city like arts schools in San Francisco or Chicago for example, Williams said this is an incredible feat.
"It's a privilege for us to work with such dedicated young artists. This is no joke, this competition," he said.
Hundreds of hours of work go into preparing the students over the years before they even submit portfolios, but getting their submissions ready takes work. Submissions were due mid-October and the students had to wait on pins and needles until they found out last week.
Williams happened to be with both students when they got their calls notifying them of their achievements and said they were both so excited.
"It's this small community of people who support ... it's one of those things that's inspiring for the teachers, it's inspiring for the other students and it's inspiring for a small community that is doing amazing things," he said.
