2025 Scholarship Award Ceremony
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Lakeland’s talented singer, actor, and dancer Xander Allen, 18, a Harrison School for the Arts graduate, won the 2025 Betsye Kay Finch Performing Arts Foundation’s scholarship.
Xander performed in numerous Harrison School for the Arts musicals, including Shrek the Musical, Cinderella, and West Side Story. He has also performed, directed, and choreographed several musicals at local community theatres.
Xander’s passion for musical theatre was sparked at age 5 when he sang in Little Drummer Boy at Lakeland’s Grace Church. Since then, he has chased song, music, and dance. In 2024, Tampa’s Straz Center for the Performing Arts awarded Xander as a Top-12 Best Performer of the Year.
On May 2nd, Xander received the $3,500 BKF Foundation’s scholarship at a celebration at Lakeland’s Hollis Garden. Xander will pursue a BFA in Musical Theatre at the University of Central Florida in Orlando this fall.
Alexis Rocker awarded Xander Allen, of Lakeland, the sixth annual Betsye Kay Finch scholarship at the May 2, 2025 awards ceremony.
​Photo credit: Robin Phillips
Broadway at the Museum - 4th Annual Gala
A special thanks to our guests, performers, and sponsors for making our 4th annual gala, "Broadway at the Museum!" on October 15, a whopping success! Many thanks to Lakeland Mayor William Mutz, who kicked off the event, along with, former Lakelander, Yurel Echezarreta, who inspired us with songs and his colorful journey to Broadway. Young performers from Highland School of Dance, Theatre Winter Haven Academy, and Broadway Beginnings wowed the crowd of 100+. Also shaking a leg were Chloe Lanham, with Karyn Tomczak and Kelly Croteau, former Radio City Music Hall Rockettes. Two BKF Performing Arts scholarship winners Abby Rogers, our first awardee, showcased her beautiful voice, along with Justin Brock, our 2024 scholarship winner, who delighted us with dance. Local violinist Josh Dampier and Everis Fairchild, flutist, accompanied Rebecca Renfroe-Borneman in "Dancing in the Tune" (written by Rebecca as the theme song for the BKF Foundation). Elizabeth Burton Lyons, another talented Lakeland singer, shared her musical magic. Thank you for helping raise our 2025 scholarship funds!
Dancers from left to right: Logan Patton, Emma Kate Franklin, Karyn Tomczak (former Radio City Rockette), Kelly Croteau (former Radio City Rockette), Lilly Stewart, and Chayenne Jennings.
Photo credit: Robin Phillips
A special thanks to our Sponsors for making the 3rd Annual Betsye Kay Finch Gala a huge success!
Opening Night Level
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Ansley & Greg Masters
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Anonymous
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Jaguar Land Rover Lakeland
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Rockette Level
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The Carol and Barney Barnett Family Foundation Fund within the GiveWell Community Foundation
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Kim & Jim Wilbanks, Jr.
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Kay Annis Wilson
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Debbie & Brant Martin
Family, Ansley, Dennis,
Hunter, & Greg
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Donna Bebber
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Tom Hall & Ken Jewett
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Wood-MacMillan Charitable Fund, a Donor Advised Fund of Renaissance Charitable Foundation
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Choreographer Level
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Paula M.Todd Fund within the GiveWell Community Foundation
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Melissa, Gavin, & Alex Finch
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Bank of Central Florida
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Debbie & Jay Dominick
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Julie & Ken Keck
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The Greenhouse Garden Shoppe
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Melissa & Brad Murray
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Beverly Fouts Gaffney
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Anthony Miller
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Anthony's Health Hut
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The Kay Family
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Robert & Kristy Peddy
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Doris & Bill Ellsworth
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Chantele Aldridge
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JJ, Stacey, Clay, & Walker Weeks
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Nelson & Nereida Canjura
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CPS Investment Advisors
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Hollis & Debbie Hooks
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Liz & Bill Daughtrey
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Schichtel Family
Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory
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Sunshine Ophthalmic & ENT
And many thanks to our Cast Level Sponsors who were highlighted in our event program.
2024 Scholarship Award Ceremony
Photo credit: Robin Phillips
Alexis Rocker awarded Justin Brock, of Bartow, the fifth annual Betsye Kay Finch scholarship at the
June 6, 2024 awards ceremony.
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Congratulations to this year's $3,000 scholarship winner, Justin Brock, of Bartow! Justin, a 2024 Harrison School for the Arts graduate, performed in numerous dance concerts at Harrison and in various dance productions with the Florida Dance Arts in "The Nutcracker " and the Highland School of Dance with "Alice in Wonderland." An outstanding dancer, Justin will pursue an Associates of Arts degree in Dance at Hillsborough Community College in the Fall.
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Enjoy our June 6, 2024 event scholarship award ceremony celebrating Justin Brock!
Stellar Song & Dance Highlight - 3rd Annual Gala
Music and dance lit up the stage at our 3rd annual Gala, “Broadway Revisited!” on October 26, 2023. Talented students and professional performers rocked the stage, while Broadway star and Lakeland native, Quentin Earl Darrington, wowed the audience as a surprise guest. Former Radio City Music Hall Rockette, Kelly Croteau, kicked up her heels while dancing in the kickline with students from Highland School of Dance. Also performing were students from Rochelle School of the Arts, Broadway Beginnings and Theatre Winter Haven Academy. To close the successful evening, artists Rebecca Renfroe-Borneman and Ashleigh Christian-Massey sang the BKF Foundation’s theme song, “Dancing in the Tune,” composed by Ms. Renfroe-Borneman. Many thanks to Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz for participating along with business leader Amy Wiggins. We also greatly appreciate our sponsors, silent auction contributors and volunteers!
Dancers from left to right: Mae Sharrett, Lilly Stewart, Cambry Stafford, Kelly Croteau (former Radio City Rockette), Kacie Anderson, Logan Patton, and Cheyenne Jennings
Photo credit: Robin Phillips
A special thanks to our Sponsors for making the 3rd Annual Betsye Kay Finch Gala a huge success!
Opening Night Level
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Ansley & Greg Masters
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Anonymous
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Rockette Level
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The Carol and Barney Barnett Family
Foundation Fund within the GiveWell
Community Foundation
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Brad & Melissa Murray
Debbie & Brant Martin
Donna Bebber
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Wood-MacMillan Charitable Fund, a Donor Advised Fund of Renaissance Charitable Foundation
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Choreographer Level
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Paula M. Todd Fund within the GiveWell Community Foundation
Melissa, Gavin, & Alex Finch
Candi Packett
Kay Annis Wilson
Jose & Naida Disla
Healthy Alternatives
Ed & Charlotte Kay
Robert & Kristy Peddy
Doris & Bill Ellsworth
Chantele Aldridge
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Anonymous
Thomas Hall & Ken Jewett
CPS Investment Advisors
Hollis & Debbie Hooks
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Schichtel Family
Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory
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Sunshine Ophthalmic & ENT
Liz & Bill Daughtrey
And many thanks to our Cast Level Sponsors who were highlighted in our event program.
2023 Scholarship Award Ceremony
Enjoy our May 23, 2023 scholarship award ceremony celebrating Janiyah McAllister, a 2023 Harrison School for the Arts graduate. An outstanding singer, dancer, and actor, Janiyah will attend Baldwin Wallace University Music Conservatory in Ohio.
Circle of Cinderella Friends Cabaret
May 2024
Betsye Kay Finch was one of many recognizable NYC Rehearsal Club Alums who was honored at the Circle of Cinderella Friends Cabaret, May 7 at 7 p.m., at the Greenroom 42 in New York City. Boockvor Productions.
Here is the 51 second video:
2022 Scholarship Award Ceremony
2022 Scholarship Award Ceremony: Oshea Darrington, recipient
"The Fruits of Giving" by Abby Rogers
Facebook Live! at the Historic Polk Theatre
Fundraiser for the Betsye Kay Finch Performing Arts Foundation, Inc.
January 28, 2021
The Impact of Dance and Musical Theater
Giving Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Dancing in the Tune
by Rebecca Renfroe-Borneman
“Dancing gives wings
to my passion;
musical theater
gives voice to my soul.”
-Betsye Kay Finch