Shooting Stars · 2023

Sponsored by the Arts Council of Johnson County

---

Created in 1997 by Chairman Emeritus Robert Endres, a then member of the Board for the Arts and Humanities Association of Johnson County, the Shooting Stars Program is one of a few initiatives in the community to honor high school students and their arts educators for artistic excellence in the literary, performing and visual arts through recognition, scholarships and awards.

With the help of generous contributors and program partners including Johnson County Community College, the Midwest Trust Center, the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, the Arts Ambassadors and the dedicated board, staff and volunteers of the Arts Council of Johnson County, the program continues to grow. Since its creation, the Shooting Stars Program has recognized over 1,000 high school seniors and awarded more than $400,000 in college scholarships and $70,000 in teacher awards.

High school art teachers in Johnson County nominate 12th grade students. Once nominated, finalists audition or submit a portfolio for review by independent judges.

Each spring at the annual Shooting Stars Gala, participating teachers and students are honored and scholarship recipients are announced.

Congratulations to the 2023 Shooting Stars nominees from high schools in the Blue Valley, De Soto, Gardner-Edgerton, Mill Valley, Olathe, Shawnee Mission and Spring Hill School Districts, The Barstow School, Saint James Academy, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School and St. Teresa's Academy.

This year’s exhibition is a testament of resilience. The artwork reflects feelings of love, grief, happiness, sorrow and hope. Art has the power to heal. Art is essential for mental and physical well-being.

Enjoy this year’s exhibition.

Sponsored by the Arts Council of Johnson County
The Arts Council of Johnson County enhances the quality of life in the community by strengthening the arts.

Arts Council of Johnson County Board of Directors Governing Board

• Jennifer Wampler, President
• Matthew Walter, Vice President
• Joe Waters, Treasurer
• Kate Allen
• Iveth Jalinsky
• Jeff Serven
• Jasmine Thompson

Advisory Board

• Hannes Zacharias, Chair
• Donna Davis
• Dana Knapp
• Ed Marquez
• Carlos Vides

Arts Ambassadors

• Robert G. Endres, Chairman Emeritus
• Gerald Baird
• Lynne & Peter Brown
• Terry Calaway
• Linda & Chuck Carlsen (2005-2022)
• Eileen Cohen
• Joni Cohen
• Dr. Mary E. Davidson (2019-2021)
• Mark Gilman
• Pam & Gary Gradinger
• Shirley & Barnett Helzberg
• Linda & Topper Johntz
• David & Demi Kiersznowski
• Diana & Len Kline
• Tom Martin (2011-2014) & Kay Martin
• Lee & Carl McCaffree
• Pat and Beth McCown
• Larry Meeker
• Margaret & Jerry Nerman (1997-2018)
• Susan & Lewis Nerman
• Marti & Tony Oppenheimer
• Ann & Bob Regnier
• Mary Tearney

Scholarship Categories

• Literature
• Photography
• Strings
• Theater Performance
• Production & Design
• Three-dimensional Art
• Two-dimensional Art
• Voice Classical
• Winds and Percussion