Cranford Students Pick Up Governor's Award Nominations

CRANFORD, NJ – Nominations have been announced for the 39th Annual New Jersey Governor’s Awards in Arts Education, the highest honor in arts education offered by national and statewide arts organizations, include three students from Cranford.

The Speech and Theater Association of New Jersey nominated Andrew Gordon for best actor in the theater discipline. The Speech and Theater Association of New Jersey also nominated Nora Sullivan for best actress and Noah Wolhlsen for best scene in the theater discipline.

“ArtPride New Jersey is delighted to honor Zach, who is a dedicated and enthusiastic arts advocate on many levels,” Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at ArtPride Ann Marie Miller said. “In addition to his work with students in performance, Zach chaperoned nine GCIT performing arts students to National Arts Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., in March. He understands how important it is for creative young people to be civically engaged to ensure that arts programs are sustained for future generations.”

ArtPride New Jersey – the state’s largest arts service organization – will honor Zachery Bates, volunteer Thespian Advisor at Gloucester County Institute of Technology. Bates was nominated for the Distinguished Arts Advocate Award. A 2013 graduate of GCIT from the Academy of Performing Arts, Bates serves on the New Jersey Thespian State Board as the Advocacy & Fundraising Chairperson and the Co-Chair for Outreach and Security. He is also involved with the Educational Theatre Association at the National Level, serving on the Advocacy Leadership Network as the co-chair of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Committee.

Winners of the Governor’s Awards in Arts Education will receive their awards on Tuesday, May 14, in the Patriot’s Theatre at the War Memorial in Trenton. The event will feature special guest speakers, a visual arts exhibit and eight performances from nominated students. A reception will immediately follow the award ceremony for all nominees and guests.

The New Jersey Governor's Awards in Arts Education is a free event that is open to the public. To register, visit www.njgaae.com.

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