Pinewood Players 2026 College Scholarship Winners

 

The Pinewood Players is pleased to announce its college scholarship winners for 2026. We are grateful for the generous donations from our members and the Munds Park community, whose support has made these scholarships possible. Pinewood Players has allocated $7,000 from its budget for this year’s awards. The students will receive their scholarships at the Pinewood Players meeting on August 22, 2026, at the playhouse.

This year’s scholarships were awarded to the following students:

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Sophia Sima, a freshman at Northern Arizona University is majoring in Elementary Education with the goal of becoming an elementary school teacher. Sophia has extensive performing arts experience, both onstage and backstage, and has participated in Pinewood Players Drama Camps for the past four years. You may remember her as Gertrude McFuzz in Seussical Jr. or Mrs. Bucket in Willy Wonka. In high school, she was active in French Club, National Honor Society, Key Club, and other organizations. She took AP and honors classes throughout high school and earned a cumulative GPA above 4.0. In her spare time, Sophia worked in retail and preschool settings. We are pleased to award Sophia a $2,000 scholarship to support her education and long-term goals.

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Gavin Craig, a sophomore at the University of Central Florida is majoring in Business Analytics with the long-term goal of managing analytics for the Phoenix Suns. A multitalented young man, he participated in Pinewood Players Drama Camps for two years. In high school, he performed with the National Thespian Society and Concert Choir, played basketball, and volunteered for Feed My Starving Children. He was on the honor roll for the past five years and graduated cum laude. Pinewood Players is pleased to award Gavin a $2,000 scholarship to support his education and long-term goals.

 

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Lennon DiCello will attend Maricopa Community College this fall, majoring in Accounting with a minor in Art. He participated in Pinewood Players Drama Camps for four years, and audiences may remember him as the Cat in the Hat in Seussical Jr.. He graduated cum laude from high school while also completing college classes and served as the lead artist for a mural at The Levitt Lab. Pinewood Players is pleased to award Lennon a $2,000 scholarship to support his education and long-term goals.

 

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Kyle Jones, a Northern Arizona University student majoring in Hospitality with a minor in Business, participated in Pinewood Players youth Drama Camps for many years, performing numerous tasks and activities to support the program. He also volunteered with the Pinewood Fire Department and the Pinewood Property Owners Association. Kyle is recognized by Pinewood Players for his many years of hard work and his willingness to help wherever needed. Pinewood Players is pleased to award Kyle a $1,000 scholarship