CARBONELL AWARDS Announces Winners of Jack Zink Memorial Scholarships 2025

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - EntSun -- (South Florida – April 8, 2025) Gary Schweikhart, board president of the Carbonell Awards, South Florida's Theatre & Arts Honors, today announced the three young winners of the 2025 Jack Zink Memorial Student Scholarships. The selection of recipients is based on talent, experience and demonstrated commitment to either theater or journalism, with one winner from each of the three participating counties.

"The Jack Zink Memorial Scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors who have achieved a minimum 2.5 GPA and are intending to enroll in college to pursue a degree in theater or journalism. Each of the three winners will receive $2,000 when they have enrolled in college," said Javier Siut, a member of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, who co-chairs the Carbonell's Scholarship Committee along with longtime Carbonell Judge Nancy Cohen.

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DeJaya Hardy – Miami-Dade County

A senior Miami Norland Senior High School, DeJaya Hardy has long been interested in writing and public speaking. She co-anchored her middle school's TV program, served as editor of her high school's newspaper The Viking, and even launched her own personal community service project (Press On) and The Gardens Gazette. She is looking forward to a career in journalism, where it her ultimate dream is to make a lasting impact in all aspects of media and storytelling. "With this scholarship, I will be able to pursue a degree and a future career that will allow me to amplify voices, particularly those from underrepresented communities like my own in Miami Gardens," she says.

Alexa Isabel Lasanta – Palm Beach County

A senior at the Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, Alexa Isabel Lasanta has been performing professionally since she was six and made her Broadway debut in the National Tour of The Sound of Music when she was eight. Locally, she has helmed major roles at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Slow Burn Theatre Company, The Wick Theatre, and Zoetic Stage. "The Carbonell Scholarship is an incredible honor that fuels my passion for the arts and supports my journey toward higher education. This recognition inspires me to continue growing as an artist and making a meaningful impact in my community.  I am deeply grateful for this opportunity, and it motivates me to pursue my dreams more strongly," she says.

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Attached Jpegs:

1)   DeJaya Hardy

2)   Alexa Isabel Lasanta

3)   Jack Bear Bryan (Photo Credit: Lorraine Ryan)

Available for Interview:

Javier Siut

Carbonell Awards Vice President

Co-Chair of the Jack Zink Scholarship Committee

Javier.siut@miamidade.gov

Media Contact:

Gary Schweikhart

PR-BS, Inc.

561.756.4298 / gary@pr-bs.net