Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
March 7, 2025 – MCALLEN, TX—The region’s brightest high school theater talent gathered at the McAllen Performing Arts Center on March 7, 2025, for the highly anticipated Palm Awards nomination ceremony, celebrating the passion, dedication, and exceptional achievements in high school theater throughout the Rio Grande Valley (RGV).
With over 25 schools and over 1,500 students competing for scholarships totaling $25,000, the Palm Awards continue elevating young talent onto a stage unlike any other in South Texas. The sold-out event, streamed live by Telemundo 40, transformed the McAllen Performing Arts Center into a spectacular showcase reminiscent of Broadway’s Tony Awards, complete with a glamorous red carpet.
Hosts and former Palm Award winners Katia Dowling and Lourdes Elizondo emphasized the outstanding efforts students demonstrated throughout the theater season. “The Palm Awards give theater students the recognition and support they truly deserve,” they noted, highlighting the importance of this event in the lives of young artists.
John Garza, president of the Palm Awards, expressed the increasing impact and national exposure students receive through the Awards. Our students are now seen, recruited, and celebrated nationwide,” said Garza. The nominees’ performances are judged by professionals from prestigious institutions, including UCLA, Carnegie Mellon, and Texas State University, with support from the innovative Palm Awards app. The event also benefits from partnerships with Hollywood, Broadway, and the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts.
See the Image Gallery below for more photos of the event: Photos By Noah Mangum González
Standout Nominees and Performances
This year’s ceremony showcased outstanding nominees from a record-breaking 44 high school theater productions. Top productions receiving multiple nominations included:
Best Musical Production nominees:
• The Wizard of Oz (PSJA)
• Catch Me If You Can (McAllen)
• West Side Story (Brownsville Veterans Memorial)
Best Play Production nominees:
• Charlotte’s Web (PSJA Memorial)
• Lend Me a Tenor (PSJA)
• The Play That Goes Wrong (PSJA Southwest)
Top acting nominees recognized were:
Best Actress in a Musical:
• Adriana Rodriguez (9 to 5, Harlingen PAC)
• Isabella Monte (Into the Woods, Sharyland)
• Madeline Gonzalez (Bonnie & Clyde, St. Joseph Academy)
Best Actor in a Musical:
• Alejandro Rodriguez (Shrek, Edinburg North)
• Trip Shira (Catch Me If You Can, McAllen)
• Turner Williamson (Fly by Night, James Nikki Rowe)
Best Actress in a Play:
• Amy Garcia (Mojada, PSJA Southwest)
• Natalie Deleon (Charlotte’s Web, PSJA Memorial)
• Bianca Bettencourt (Sharyland Pioneer)
Best Actor in a Play:
• Andre Orta (The Diviners, Robert Vela)
• Christo Patri (The Play That Goes Wrong, PSJA Southwest)
• Reed Garcia (Robert Vela)
Finalists in each leading category will perform and be adjudicated by a national panel at the official Palm Awards ceremony, which will be held on May 7, 2025, at the McAllen Performing Arts Center.
During the nomination ceremony, the Michael Albis Legacy Award was posthumously presented to Janet Baum Doyle for her lifelong dedication to theater education at PSJA ISD. Presenter Elia Gonzalez Peña remarked, “Janet Doyle was not just a teacher; she was a mentor whose legacy will continue inspiring generations.”
Adding to the excitement, Palm Awards alumnus Diego Rodriguez, now starring on Broadway in Sunset Boulevard, sent an inspiring message from New York City: “The Palm Awards gave me the confidence and scholarship support to pursue my dreams. Students of the Valley, never doubt your ability—you belong on these stages.”
ECISD’s Mariachi de Mi Tierra, recently featured at the White House thanks to Palm Awards partnerships, received recognition and a $10,000 check from community sponsors for their accomplishments. Additionally, McAllen International Airport reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Valley youth. Aviation Director Jeremy Santoscoy stated, “We’re proud to help showcase these talented students to the world.”
Looking Ahead to May 7
With nominations announced, anticipation builds toward the final Palm Awards ceremony on May 7, 2025. The event will feature performances by nominated actors, red-carpet festivities sponsored by Telemundo and McAllen International Airport, and the awarding of scholarships totaling $25,000.
This nomination ceremony proved that Valley students are destined to make their theatrical dreams a reality, regardless of where they begin. The stage is set, and now the spotlight shifts to the main event—don’t miss out on all the magic when the curtain rises again on May 7.
For tickets and more information, visit the official Palm Awards website or tune into Telemundo 40 for live coverage of the final ceremony.
