A local Lexus dealership, along with the Lexus Pursuit of Potential foundation is sponsoring the 2nd Annual, Scholarships for the Stars Performing Arts Competition. The competition is available to all Fayette County residents who are currently a senior in high school and planning to major in music in college. $25,000 in scholarships will be awarded to 6 of the 10 finalists with two grand prize winners taking home $5,000 scholarships.

Randy Knapton, General Manager of Lexus of South Atlanta, is the originator of this program. He teamed up with the Lexus Pursuit of Potential, a national foundation created by Lexus to help promote children's causes, for last year’s inaugural program. It was a huge success and the support and appreciation of the parents and students persuaded him to make it an annual event. Dr. Franklin Green, the director for the Georgia Singers, is the musical coordinator for the Scholarships for the Stars program and works tirelessly to help produce this event.

Applications were made available in early December and the first round of the auditions was held on February 21st. From that audition the 10 finalists were be selected. They include Ashley Dixon and Jennifer Leonard of McIntosh High School, Madeleine Conti and Karla Dietmeyer of Starr’s Mill, Matthew Walker, Kaitlyn Welch and Stephanie Freeman of Sandy Creek, Caitlin Wade and Ashton McCranie of Whitewater High School and Joshua Franklin of Fayette County High School. These students will all perform Friday evening, March 20th at the First Presbyterian Church in Peachtree City at 7:30 PM. A panel of judges, comprised of college music professors from around the area, will determine the best overall performers in both the vocal and instrumental categories. Along with the two $5,000 first place awards, two second place winners will each receive $3,500 scholarships while two third place winters will receive $2,500 each.

A VIP reception will be held immediately after the performance to honor the winners. Tickets for the event are only $5.00 in advance or $7.00 at the door on the night of the event. Advance tickets can be purchased at many of the local high schools, the Frederick Brown Amphitheater and at Lexus of South Atlanta. Ticket for the VIP reception with preferred seating can be purchased for $20.00. All tickets sales go directly into additional scholarships for the students, since Lexus of South Atlanta is also taking care of all of the actual expenses to put on the event.

The event is being co-sponsored by Subaru of South Atlanta, Comcast Spotlight with help from Southern Keyboards and the Fayette County Education Foundation. You can call 678-783-2700 or visit www.ScholarshipsForTheStars.com for more information.

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