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Young Audiences of Houston’s celebrated their 59th year of providing arts education to the Houston area at their annual gala on May 7, where they presented Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy (YWCPA) and Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men (MLCPA) with 2015 Arts Empowerment Awards.

HISD Board of Education Trustee Mike Lunceford was in attendance, along with MLCPA Principal Dameion Crook, School Support Officer Michelle Cloud, YWCPA Dean of Instruction Monica Bowes, Innovative Curriculum Specialist Douglas Torres-Edwards, and Manager of Innovative Projects Erica Deakins.

The “Disco Galaxy Soiree,” which was held at Rice University’s Cohen House, highlighted the importance of innovative programs such as the “Full STEAM Ahead” program Young Audiences helped start two years ago at YWCPA. This innovative program, which incorporates the arts into STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) training, uses dance and movement to teach engineering concepts.

With support from the National Endowment for the Arts, Young Audiences was able to expand the partnership to include digital media programs at both YWCPA and MLCPA. Thanks to this partnership, stakeholders were able to see how the support of dedicated and visionary school leaders can inspire students to learn and be successful.