Shooting Stars Gala 2025 Shooting Stars Gala 2025
2025 Shooting Stars Gala
SHOOTING STARS & THE COMMUNITY
Emcee Lonita Cook
SCHOLARSHIPS
FINALE WITH CONFETTI CANONS
The Arts Council of Johnson County’s vision is to be recognized for its effectiveness in promoting the cultural and economic development of Johnson County through the arts. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for Johnson County by strengthening the arts. ACJC’s work is guided by our mission and core values: community, creativity, quality of life and stewardship.
Our programs, convenings and advocacy have a responsibility to contribute to a more diverse, connected, and inclusive community.
The power of creativity inspires, innovates, and opens us to new perspectives of how we view ourselves, share ideas, and solve problems.
The arts are essential to the health and well-being of our community, strengthen our economy, and ensure an equitable quality of life.
Inclusive and collaborative stewardship nurtures and grows our creative industries for future generations.
More than an advocate for the arts, the Arts Council of Johnson County believes that our community is built on creativity, and that the arts are integral to who we are as individuals and as communities. We exist to bring attention and resources to the vibrant, creative culture of our region, to create and sustain a thriving, connected community. We believe Johnson County is home to some of our greatest artists, and that bringing them together can revitalize and transform all of us.
Serving the residents of Johnson County, Kansas, which is home to 20 municipalities and a little over 600,000 residents, the Arts Council of Johnson County (ACJC) enhances the quality of life in the community by strengthening the arts. Established in 1992 as the Arts and Humanities Association of Johnson County, the organization became the Arts Council of Johnson County in 2003 with the development of a strategic plan known as the Suburban Arts Business Plan.
Our programs include the Shooting Stars Recognition, Scholarship and Awards Program; Veterans Arts Programs; the Public Art Digital Catalog, and smART Blog in addition to our arts advocacy work. In 2019, the Arts Council of Johnson County adopted our new 3 year strategic plan. The plan focuses on how ACJC can best serve our community and advocate for the arts.
For more information about the arts in our community and The Arts Council of Johnson County visit our website at www.artsjoco.org.
The arts are fundamental to our humanity. They ennoble and inspire us—fostering creativity, empathy, and beauty. The arts also strengthen our communities socially, educationally, and economically—benefits that persist even during a pandemic that has been devastating to the arts. The following 10 reasons show why an investment in artists, creative workers, and arts organizations is vital to the nation’s post-pandemic healing and recovery.
1.Arts unify communities. 72% of Americans believe “the arts unify our communities regardless of age, race, and ethnicity” and 73% agree that the arts “helps me understand other cultures better” a perspective observed across all demographic and economic categories
2. Arts improve individual well-being. 81% of the population says the arts are a “positive experience in a troubled world,” 69% of the population believe the arts “lift me up beyond everyday experiences,” and 73% feel the arts give them “pure pleasure to experience and participate in.”
3. Arts strengthen the economy. The nation’s arts and culture sector nonprofit, commercial, education is a $1.02 trillion industry that supports 4.9 million jobs (2021). That is 4.4% of the nation’s economy. In Kansas, arts and culture is a $4.4 billion industry 2.3% of the state economy and supports 41,637 jobs (bigger than utilities, mining, and education). The arts accelerate economic recovery: a growth in arts employment has a positive and causal effect on overall employment (U S Bureau of Economic Analysis) Johnson County’s nonprofit arts industry alone generates $38 5 million in economic activity annually spending by organizations and their audiences which supports 676 jobs and generates $6 1 million in local, state, and federal government revenue (2022)
4 Arts drive tourism and revenue to local businesses. The 653,000 attendees at Johnson County’s nonprofit arts and culture events spend an average of $35 40 per person, per event, beyond the cost of admission on items such as meals, parking, and lodging vital income for local businesses 31% of attendees live outside of Johnson County; they average $54 64 in event-related spending Arts travelers are ideal tourists, staying longer and spending more to seek out authentic culture experiences
5 Arts improve academic performance. Students engaged in arts learning have higher GPAs, standardized test scores, and college-going rates as well as lower drop-out rates These academic benefits are reaped by students across all socioeconomic strata Yet the Department of Education reports that access to arts education for students of color is significantly lower than for their white peers 91% of Americans believe that arts are part of a well-rounded K-12 education
6 Arts spark creativity and innovation. Creativity is among the top five applied skills sought by business leaders per the Conference Board’s Ready to Innovate report with 72% saying creativity is of “high importance” when hiring Research on creativity shows that Nobel laureates in the sciences are 17 times more likely to be actively engaged as an arts maker than other scientists
7 Arts have social impact. University of Pennsylvania researchers have demonstrated that a high concentration of the arts in a city leads to higher civic engagement, more social cohesion, higher child welfare, and lower poverty rates
8. Arts improve healthcare. Nearly one-half of the nation’s healthcare institutions provide arts programming for patients, families, and even staff. 78% deliver these programs because of their healing benefits to patients shorter hospital stays, better pain management, and less medication.
9. Arts for the health and well-being of our military. The arts heal the mental, physical, and moral injuries of war for military servicemembers and Veterans, who rank the creative arts therapies in the top four (out of 40) interventions and treatments. Across the military continuum, the arts promote resilience during pre-deployment, deployment, and the reintegration of military servicemembers, Veterans, their families, and caregivers into communities.
10. Arts Strengthen Mental Health. The arts are an effective resource in reducing depression and anxiety and increasing life satisfaction. Just 30 minutes of active arts activities daily can combat the ill effects of isolation and loneliness associated with COVID-19
Shooting Stars Recognition, Scholarship and Awards
The arts are an essential part of every student’s educational experience. Whether singing, sculpting, writing, or painting the arts teach critical thinking, communication, and collaboration - they are the spark of innovation and an important element of each student’s professional success and personal fulfillment.
Created by Robert G. Endres in 1997 and annually presented by The Arts Council of Johnson County, the Shooting Stars Program is one of a few programs in the community that honors high school students and their arts educators for artistic excellence in Literature, Performing and Visual Arts through recognition, scholarships and awards. Nominated by their high school arts teachers, Finalists audition or submit a portfolio of work for review by independent judges. All participating teachers and students are honored and scholarship recipients announced at the Annual Shooting Stars Gala this evening.
Since 1997, the Shooting Stars Program has recognized over 1000 high school seniors and awarded over $400,000 in college scholarships and $70,000 in teacher honorariums. Recent scholarship recipients have been accepted to schools such as College- Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati, Cornell, Johnson County Community College, Kansas City Art Institute, University of Kansas, University of Missouri Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance, New York University and the London School of Design.
Criteria & Guidelines for Finalist Nomination
Only High School Art Faculty in private and public school systems who have graduating senior high school students who reside in Johnson County, KS, may nominate finalists.
The nominated student must be a senior in high school and may compete in only one category.
The nominated student must plan to enroll in an accredited college, university or certified arts school.
The participation of a senior high school student in extracurricular and community activities or volunteerism, especially if it relates to his/her artistic talent, will be considered in choosing scholarship recipients.
PERFORMING ARTS CATEGORIES
DONATE TODAY DONATE TODAY
HELP STUDENTS HELP STUDENTS ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS
2025 Emcee 2025 Emcee
Lonita Cook Lonita Cook
Lonita is a creative producer, film critic and arts advocate. As a critic, she contributes to KCTV5's My KC Live and Hello Iowa in Des Moines and is a member of the Critics Choice Association. She is a Regional Consultant for Kansas Arts Commission. She travels the world from Los Angeles to London for electrifying and fun film junkets.
Over her years of volunteerism, she's served arts organizations including Johnson County Arts & Heritage Museum Foundation/Friends as President and 13 years at Sundance Film Festival. She currently serves on the Arts Council of Johnson County Advisory Board, Johnson County Park & Rec Foundation Board and ArtsKC Advocacy Committee.
It is her great joy to be there when filmmakers’ and other artists’ dreams come true.
TWO DIMENSIONAL TWO DIMENSIONAL ART ART FINALISTS FINALISTS
TTHREE HREE DIMENSIONAL ART DIMENSIONAL ART FINALISTS FINALISTS
PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOGRAPHY FFINALISTS INALISTS
LLITERATURE ITERATURE FFINALISTS INALISTS
PRODUCTION & PRODUCTION & DESIGN DESIGN FINALISTS FINALISTS
TTHEATRE HEATRE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE FINALISTS FINALISTS
VOICE VOICE CLASSICAL CLASSICAL FINALISTS FINALISTS
STRINGS STRINGS FFINALISTS INALISTS
WINDS & WINDS & PERCUSSION PERCUSSION FFINALISTS INALISTS
Give Give Text2 Text2
Give the gift of opportunity! Support Shooting Stars Scholarships and help students pursue their artistic dreams. Every dollar gets us closer to our $4,200 goal!
Scholarships Text to 801801
Nominating Nominating TTeachers eachers
Steve Adams
Amy Andersen
Cassie Banion
Andrew Book
Catherine Boone
Matthew Bradford
Toni Britt
Rachel Cain
Jon Copeland
Chad Coughlin
Chad Coughlin
Stephanie Dalley
Robert Davis
Thomas DeFeo
Casey Engel
Rebecca Fillingham
Adam Finkelston
Jordan Foote
Michelle Foster-Lowman
Ashleigh Garcia
Garry Goddard
Jason Hagg
David Hastings
Jennifer Hensley
Tracy Herber
Tom Holland
Shawnasea Holst
Kristin Howard
Stephanie Kates
Christie Kerksiek
Cynthia Kersenbrock
Carly Kimbrough
Kelsey Laporte
Chris LaValley
Amanda Lea
Lori Ludwig
Allison Mangold
Joel Martin
Erica Matyak
Joanna Mays
Sarah McKee
Kimberly Modelski
Nominating Nominating TTeachers eachers
Ashley Moll
Alisha Morris
Chris Palmer
Jospeh Patterson
Emily Patterson
Dustin Pence
Starr Peterson
Elise Peterson
Alex Piazza
Kristen Pickell
Sarah Roach
Karen Russell
Madison Sedillo
Melissa Sellers
Edward Shafer
Kim Spillman
Abby Stallbaumer
Jacob Sweatt
Mark Swezey
Sarah Taber
Melissa Terryberry
Rose Tochtrop
Reed Uthe
Laura VanLeeuwen
Julie Weatherford
Adrianna Wendel
Sheila Wilkins
Pamela Williamson
Board of County Commissioners:
Chairman Mike Kelly
1st District Commissioner Becky Fast
2nd District Commissioner Jeff Meyers
3rd District Commissioner Julie Brewer
4th District Commissioner Janeé Hanzlick
5th District Commissioner Michael Ashcraft
6th District Commissioner Shirley Allenbrand
ACJC Governing Board:
Joe Waters, President
Matthew Walter, Vice President
Jeff Serven, Treasurer
JoAnne Northrup, Secretary
Jennifer Wampler, Past President
Jasmine Thompson
Casey Wilhm
Hannes Zacharias
Aaron Otto, Johnson County Board Liaison
ACJC Advisory Board:
Emily Behrmann, Chair
Lonita Cook
Dr. Donna Davis
Angi Hejduk
Cheryl Kimmi
Dana Knapp
Kelly Seward
Bonnie Limbird
ACJC Staff:
Sarah VanLanduyt, Executive Director
Katie Coen, Engagement Coordinator
Shooting Stars Volunteers:
Amy Bagnall
April Bishop
Allison Bowman
Evie Craig
Mary Eads
Allie Hennes
Ed Márquez
Ellen Merrill
Joanna Polley
Jane Rapps
Sally Roberts
Vandra Solomon
Mary Tearney
Judy Tuckness
Kyle VanLanduyt
Marcianne Wagner-Heaton
Jennifer Wampler
Casey Wilhm
Laura Woolsey
Shooting Stars Chairman Emeritus:
Robert G. Endres
Arts Ambassadors:
Gerald Baird
Lynne & Peter Brown
Terry Calaway
Linda Carlsen
Richard Carrothers & Dennis Hennessy
Eileen Cohen
Joni Cohen
Art Ambassadors Continued:
Mark Gilman
Pam & Gary Gradinger
Shirley & Barnett Helzberg
Linda & Topper Johntz
Demi Lloyd
David Kiersznowski
Diana & Len Kline
Kay Martin
Lee & Carl McCaffree
Pat & Beth McCown
Larry Meeker
Susan & Lewis Nerman
Marti & Tony Oppenheimer
Ann & Bob Regnier
Mary Tearney
Shooting Stars Judge’s Selection Committee:
Arzie Umali
Kreshaun McKinney
Shooting Stars Category Mentors:
Rachel Honnold
Allison Bowman
Summer Brooks
Sarah Aptilon
Elena Stephenson
Neal Long
Daniel Ketter
Alberto Racanati
Jason Piggie
Give Give Text2 Text2
Give the gift of opportunity! Support Shooting Stars Scholarships and help students pursue their artistic dreams. Every dollar gets us closer to our $4,200 goal!
Scholarships Text to 801801
Thank you to our Generous Supporters
Contributing to The Arts Council of Johnson County as of March 25, 2025
Individual Supporters
Adrienne Kilbride
Allison Brown
Andrew Gustafson
Ann and John Kenney
Barbara Warady
Becky Silvermintz
Bernie Lee
Bill and Anne Blessing
Bonnie Limbird
Brian Williams and Matthew Walter
Bryan and Jennifer Wampler
Casey Wilhm
Cathy J. Charbonneau
Connie and Joe Schlageck
Courtney Craig
Daryl and Lynda Robert
Deborah and Jeffery Huffman
Dee Wright
Donna Davis
Elizabeth Loggie
Ellen Merrill
Emily and Mark Johnson
Emily Behrmann
Erica Matyak
Evie Craig
Gerald and Martha Baird
Hannes Zacharias and Marcia
Higginson
James Green
Jasmine Thompson
Jeff Serven
Jeffery and Deborah Huffman
Jennifer Logbeck
Jim Walker
JoAnne Northrup
Joe Waters
John and Ann Kenney
John and Kathleen Kelley
John and Liz Hjalmarson
Joy Zimmerman
Justin Border
Kaley Wajcman
Karen Tamano
Katherine Allen
Kathryn Clark
KE Griffin
Kelley Nielsen
Lewis and Susan Nerman
Mark Freeman
Nancy Kaiser-Caplan
Patricia Winter
Rachel Hiles
Randy and Caroline Braley
Ron and Stephanie Olsen
Royceann Mather and Andy Prosser
Sally Roberts
Steve and Julie Brewer
Susan Shen
Timothy and Karen Schneller
Tricia Suellentrop Household
Vandra Solomon
William and Susan Tinker
Thank you to our Generous Supporters
Contributing to The Arts Council of Johnson County as of March 25, 2025
Corporate Supporters
80 Santa Fe Gallery
Cornerstone Bank
Dandelion Consulting
Henderson Engineers, Inc. Charitable Foundation
Kansas City Art Institute
Kansas City Ballet
Panasonic Corporation of North America
Phase2 Technology
Public Art & Practice LLC
SFS Architecture
State and Local Supporters
City of Roeland Park
Friends of Overland Park Arts
Johnson County Government
Kansas Arts Commission
Leawood Arts Council
Prairie Village Arts Council
UMKC Conservatory of Music
Foundation Supporters
Estelle S. & Robert A. Long Ellis Foundation
Kansas Alliance for the Arts in Education
Lyons Charitable Foundation
Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation
The Shirley and Barnett Helzberg Foundation
Veterans United Foundation
