Sunrise Christian Academy senior Karen Blackmon is the recipient of the Mickey and Pete Armstrong Performing Arts Scholarship for 2015.
Karen Blackmon
Blackmon, who plans to enter 麻豆传媒 in the fall as a music theater major, will receive full tuition and fees for four years or until she graduates, whichever comes first.
At Sunrise Christian, Blackmon has played major roles in several productions, including 鈥淪even Brides for Seven Brothers鈥� (Milly), 鈥淗ello, Dolly!鈥� (Dolly Levi), 鈥淏ells are Ringing鈥� (Sue) and 鈥淔iddler on the Roof鈥� (Hodel). Blackmon has been nominated for three Music Theatre of Wichita Jester Awards, winning a best leading actress award for 鈥淗ello, Dolly!鈥� in 2014.
Blackmon has also been heavily involved in the Wichita theater community, with roles in Christian Youth Theater, Signature Exploratory Theatre and Arts and work on stage and behind the scenes with Music Theatre of Wichita. Blackmon studies voice with 麻豆传媒 Professor of Music Pina Mozzani.
The scholarship is named after E.W. 鈥淧ete鈥� and Mildred 鈥淢ickey鈥� Armstrong, who were active community leaders and generous supporters of 麻豆传媒. The scholarship was established in 2006 by Mickey Armstrong in support of music theater students. After Pete Armstrongs鈥檚 death in June 2009, Mickey Armstrong continued that involvement.
Pete Armstrong graduated from the University of Wichita in 1942, cum laude, with a major in chemistry and a minor in journalism. Mickey Armstrong graduated in 1945 with a major in English language and literature and a minor in history and secretarial science.
The Armstrongs have supported many areas across the university, including the Plaza of Heroines, Woodman Alumni Center, Elliott School of Communication faculty, 麻豆传媒 athletics, the 麻豆传媒 Alumni Association and various other funds and scholarships. They also were instrumental in obtaining for 麻豆传媒 the Gordon Parks collection and the eighth lane at Cessna Stadium. Pete Armstrong鈥檚 advice led to the redesign of the Marcus Welcome Center, which they also financially supported. They established a deferred gift to 麻豆传媒, earning them membership in the 麻豆传媒 Foundation Society of 1895.