Betsye Kay Finch Foundation Awards 3rd Scholarship
The late Al Finch and Alexis Rocker awarded Oshea Darrington, of Lakeland,
the 3rd Annual Betsye Kay Finch scholarship at the May 12, 2022 awards ceremony.
Photo: Robin Phillips of Phillips Photography
Watch our scholarship ceremony celebrating Oshea Darrington,
a superb singer, dancer, actor and songwriter and a 2022 Harrison School for the Arts graduate.
Congratulations to this year’s $2,500 scholarship winner, Oshea Darrington of Lakeland! Oshea, a 2022 Harrison School for the Arts graduate, performed in Hairspray, Newsies, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, among others at Harrison, and in Frozen at Lakeland Community Theatre. An extraordinary singer, dancer, actor and songwriter, Oshea will pursue a Bachelor’s in Musical Theatre at Millikin University in Illinois.
Dancers Wow the Crowd at Our First Annual Fundraiser
Dancers and singers rocked the crowd at our first annual gala, “A Touch of Broadway,” on October 28, 2021. Lakeland Mayor William Mutz kicked off the live event held at the Junior League of Lakeland. Dancers from the Highland School of Dance, along with former Radio City Music Hall Rockette Karyn Tomczak of New York City, electrified the crowd with the Rockette’s famous high kicks to a Broadway tune. Local singers Ashleigh Christian-Massey and Rebecca Renfroe-Borneman performed the Foundation’s theme song, Dancing in the Tune, in an audience sing-along. Renfroe-Borneman, a former student of Betsye Kay Finch, has performed professionally in New York City and beyond. Many thanks to our sponsors, audience and volunteers for making this a success.
Karyn Tomczak, a former Radio City Rockette (center) performs with Highland School of Dance students, from left, Lilly Stewart, Kailey Rutledge, Logan Patton, Chloe Lanham, Alexis Jordan and Teagan Youngblood at the Betsye Kay Finch gala fundraiser at the Junior League building in Lakeland.
A special thanks to our Sponsors for making our first annual
Betsye Kay Finch Gala a huge success.
Opening Night Level
Ann & Ward Edwards
Ansley & Greg Masters
Rockette Level
The Carol and Barney Barnett Family Foundation Fund within the GiveWell Community Foundation
The Maguires of Lakeland
S&D Real Estate Services
Choreographer Level
The Belotto Sisters: Chere' Belotto Campbell,
Leah Bellotto Lauderdale, Chris Belloto
Brant & Debbie Martin
Debbie Young Dominick
Michelle & Wogie Badcock
Merris, Ellery & Rainey
Thomas Hall & Ken Jewett
Chantele Aldridge
Doris & Bill Ellsworth
Nancy & Bob Fisher
Regal Automotive Group
And many thanks to our Cast Level Sponsors who were highlighted in our event program.
2021 Scholarship Award Ceremony: Rachael Gomez, recipient
"The Fruits of Giving" by Abby Rogers
“Dancing gives wings
to my passion;
musical theater
gives voice to my soul.”
-Betsye Kay Finch
Past Happenings
The Impact of Dance and Musical Theater
GivingTuesday, December 1, 2020
Facebook Live! at the Historic Polk Theatre, January 28,2021
Fundraiser for the Betsye Kay Finch Performing Arts Foundation, Inc.
...In the Media