Several Little Rock School District seniors are being recognized for their exceptional creativity after earning scholarships through the Thea Foundation's 2025-2026 scholarship competition.
Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School senior Hayley Eaton earned top honors, receiving 1st Place in Performing Arts and a $10,000 scholarship, the highest award given in the category.
Eaton’s achievement highlights the exceptional level of talent represented by Little Rock School District students in this year’s competition, which drew a record number of applicants from across Arkansas. With no theme to guide submissions, students were free to showcase their artistic voices while competing for a share of $219,000 in scholarship awards.
Other Award Recipients from LRSD
Visual Arts
8th Place – $3,000
Emily Liu, Little Rock Central High School
9th Place – $3,000
Ruthika Matapathi, Little Rock Central High School
Creative Writing
5th Place – $6,000
Ruby Smith, Little Rock Central High School
6th Place – $3,000
Srinitya Bhrugubanda, Little Rock Central High School
The Thea Foundation also welcomed new judges from across the country, including professors from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Columbia University, Northwestern University, and the University of Southern California. Judges praised the depth, originality, and vision reflected in this year’s entries.
“This was my first year serving as a judge for the Thea Foundation, and I was truly struck by the level of talent, care, and awareness that breathed through each and every entry,” said Adama Delphine Fawundu, Assistant Professor of Visual Art at Columbia University. “Choosing just ten artists from such a strong group was incredibly challenging. The chosen works demonstrated a clear and compelling vision, and I was deeply inspired by what the next generation of artists has to offer.”
Congratulations to these talented students!