CARBONELL AWARDS Announces Winners of Jack Zink/Hap Erstein Scholarships 2026

BOCA RATON, Fla. - EntSun -- (South Florida – April 20, 2026) Gary Schweikhart, board president of the Carbonell Awards, South Florida's Theatre & Arts Honors, today announced the three young winners of the 2026 Jack Zink & Hap Erstein Memorial Scholarships. The selection of recipients is based on talent, experience and demonstrated commitment to either theater or journalism, with one student winner from each of the three participating counties.

"The Jack Zink & Hap Erstein 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 $3,000 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. (Note: $2,000 is from the Jack Zink Scholarship and $1,000 is from the Hap Erstein Scholarship.)

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Sofia Bornia – Palm Beach County

A senior at the Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, Sofia Bornia has appeared in multiple shows at the school (A Chorus Line, The Drowsy Chaperone, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), Delray Beach Playhouse (Something Rotten!), Lake Worth Playhouse (The Prom, West Side Story), and more. "Thank you so much for this incredible opportunity. I'm so grateful to have been chosen," she says.

Avery Garfinkel – Broward County

A senior at the Cooper City High School, Avery Garfinkel very early found a home in the technical booth, specializing in both stage management and lighting design. At school, she handled both positions for The SpongeBob Musical, Sweeney Todd, Six, and Descendants. Other areas of her expertise include directing, set design, choreography, puppetry design, and more. Her college goal is to pursue a BFA in Stage Management.

Attached Jpegs:

1)   Sofia Bornia (Palm Beach County)

2)   Avery Garfinkle (Broward County)

(Photo Credit: Leanna Rodriguez)

3)   Matthew Aidan Sanchez (Miami-Dade County)

(Photo Credit: Michelle Nicole Photography)