Fine Arts Festival Winners Announced

Under soggy skies the national Fine Arts Festival winners were announced on the National Mall on Sunday afternoon. Because of the oppressive heat and humidity, one of the presenters prayed that God would cool the city down. He got more than he bargained for when it began to rain 15 minutes later. At first, the sprinkles were welcome, but when the sky grew dark and unleashed a torrential downpour it appeared the event might have to be canceled.

But the show went on.

As one spectator said, ’The teens made lemonade out of lemons.’ Across the mall teens hopped in mud puddles, use tarps as slip and slides, squealed in delight and huddled in small groups under umbrellas singing songs.

"This is great, it’s a memory I am going to keep forever," said Joyce Adeyemi, 17, from Miami Florida, who came to General Council to participate in the Fine Arts Festival. "I was in the stands praying for a big grey cloud because it was so hot—but I didn’t expect this."

As rain fell, FAF winners performed and the 2003 Merit Awards were presented.

Following are the winners in each category.

Individual songwriting: Andre Henry from AG Tabernacle in Atlanta.

Drama solo: Crystal Maldonado from Canyon Hills AG in Bakersfield, Calif.

Male vocal solo: Kyle Torbert from First AG in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Short story: Jessica Sassaman from First AG in Hamburg, Pennsylvania.

Spanish make vocal solo: Jimmy Siberia from Iglesia Cristiana Misionera AG in Apopka, Florida.

Sign language group: Phoenix SLG from First AG in Phoenix, Arizona.

Large human video group: Red Mountain from Red Mountain Christian Center in Mesa, Arizona.

First person essay: Meaghan Handzlik from AG Church in Springville, New York.

Rap Solo: Stefon Norris from Faith AG in Orlando, Florida.

Youth Choir: Brookfield from AG in Wisconsin.

Keyboard solo: Darrek Arneson from Brooks AG in Oregon.

Instrumental wind solo: Stephen Torbert from First AG in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Spanish female vocal solo: Mayra Parrales from El Tabernaculo A/D in Houston.

Instrumental ensemble: Spring AG from First AG Church in Texas.

Poetry: Adriene Beltz from First AG in Hamburg, Pennsylvania.

Rap group: Blackwells from Christian Church of Resurrection in East Syracuse, New York.

Large drama group: Ft. Ashby from Calvary AG in West Virgina.

Small vocal ensemble: Grand Rapids First AG in Michigan.

Sketch writing: Bethel life sketch from Bethel Life Center AG in Wichita, Kansas.

Small group drama: Evangel Temple from Evangel Temple in Kansas City, Missouri.

Instrumental string solo: Naomi Culp from Northwest AG in Mount Prospect, Illinois.

Visual art: Robert Herbeth from Ellicott City AG in Maryland.

Photography: Zane Adams from First AG in Lufkin, Texas.

Short sermon: Stacia Webb from Trinity Church of the A/G.

Human video solo: Jaclyn Ambrose from Calvary AG in Wyncote, Pennsylvania.

Sign language solo: Whitney Heldebrand from First AG in Claremore, Oklahoma.

Female vocal solo: Natalie Randall from Calvary Temple in Springfield, Illinois.

Graphic design: Ayrika Tadej from Gulf Coast Worship Center in Long Beach, Miss.

Small human video group: Brooksfield AG in Florida.

Collaborated songwriting: Faith AG in Searcy, Arkansas.

Christian band: Eleos band from Central AG in Springfield, Missouri.

Worship team: New Horizon AG in Prattville, Alabama.

Kirk Noonan