New Roads School Student Named YoungArts Merit Winner

SANTA MONICA, CA — A New Roads School senior was selected as a National YoungArts Foundation winner. Derek Weinstock joins 686 of the nation’s most accomplished artists in the visual, literary and performing arts, the New Roads School press release said. Only 9.5 percent of students who entered nationwide across the 10 artistic disciplines were selected.

Weinstock was named a YoungArts Merit Winner in Writing by submitting works that speak on purity and importance of helping others. His writing was selected by a discipline-specific panel of artists through a blind selection process.

"I wanted to show something pure and noble that I see in my classmates and make it known that teenagers are a lot better than people give us credit for," Weinstock said. "I felt grateful to be chosen."

The New Roads School senior is eligible for cash prizes of up to $10,000 and the opportunity to participate in the organization's regional programs in Miami, Los Angeles and New York.

He is also eligible for exclusive fellowships and presentation opportunities at major institutions such as Jacob’s Pillow (Massachusetts), the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington, D.C.), New World Center (Miami), Sotheby’s (New York), The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), UCLA’s Center for the Art of Performanceand the Watermill Center (New York); as well as the opportunity to work with directors and curators such as Derrick Adams, Deana Haggag, Bill T. Jones, Jasmine Wahi and Tony Yazbeck.

"Every year I am reminded that extraordinary artistry is ageless and the 2020 YoungArts award winners—all teenage artists—have done it again. This group of emerging talent represents the inspiring potential of the next generation of artists. We look forward to welcoming them to the YoungArts community of leading artists and are thrilled to support their work from this early stage and throughout their careers," National YoungArts Foundation Board Chair Sarah Arison said.