Quick look: Tesoro High School student Isaiah Medina and Laguna Beach High School student Lauren Norrix will represent Orange County at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, the nation’s top celebration of student talent in musical theater.
Two Orange County students will be Broadway-bound after earning top honors at the Spirit of the MACY Awards — next week, they get to showcase their talents at the prestigious National High School Musical Theatre Awards.
Laguna Beach High School senior Lauren Norrix and Tesoro High School senior Isaiah Medina were named Best Actress and Best Actor, respectively, at the annual Spirit of the MACY Awards held June 1, recognizing their standout performances in their school productions this spring. Norrix earned accolades for her role as Judy Bernly in the musical “9 to 5,” and Medina was honored for his portrayal of Orpheus in the musical “Hadestown: Teen Edition.”
Their wins landed them spots at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, also known as the Jimmy Awards, taking place June 23 at the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway and hosted by Grammy-nominated singer Josh Groban.
Regarded as one of the highest honors in high school musical theater, the Jimmys nationally recognize students who excel in acting, singing and dance. Since the program began, it has welcomed roughly 150,000 students from 2,300 schools to compete and perform in an elite one-night talent showcase. Two students will ultimately win awards in the Best Performance by an Actor and Best Performance by an Actress categories.
The Spirit of the MACY Awards, which began in 1969, annually spotlights musical theater achievement in greater Orange County. Each year, the program selects two students from its adjudicated awards ceremony to represent the region at the Jimmys.
Once Isaiah and Lauren arrive in New York City next week, they will participate in a weeklong intensive featuring coaching sessions, rehearsals and trainings led by some of the top professionals in Broadway theater, leading up to a performance that could launch their professional careers.
Here are the other stories we’ve been following this week:
- As part of UC Irvine’s Class of 2025, student Tycho Elling will earn his bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer and physical sciences at just 14 years old — with his sights already on attending USC in the fall to earn his doctorate.
- After a four-month nationwide search, the Laguna Beach Unified School District has found its next superintendent in Dr. Jason Glass — a longtime educator with experience in classroom teaching, statewide leadership and executive roles in higher education.
- OCDE education professionals shared insights into the latest student outcomes along with key successes and areas for growth with educational and community partners at the 2025 State of the Student Forum on Thursday.
- As Orange County school districts cap off their school year this month, the OCDE Newsroom has gathered social media posts that highlight the joyful moments from graduation ceremonies taking place throughout the county.
- The Orange County Register and the Daily Pilot also helped capture some of the graduation festivities happening in the Newport-Mesa, Orange and Placentia-Yorba Linda unified school districts.
- Through a hands-on project led by local marine biology research organizations, San Clemente High School students released white sea bass back into the Pacific Ocean after raising them in their classroom aquarium through the school’s marine science program.
- Five Irvine Unified School District students were recognized for their academic rigor and extracurricular involvement with National Merit Scholarships — earning the most out of any Orange County district.
- As of Friday, the Orange County Register reported that Newport-Mesa Unified School District board candidate Andrea McElroy appears to lead the race for the Area 5 seat, with 53 percent of the votes.
- The Los Angeles Times reported that state Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice in response to its demand that local school districts certify bans preventing transgender students from participating on teams that align with their gender identity.
- This week, Spotlight Schools reported some Orange County school districts are sharing resources with their communities amid ongoing federal immigration enforcement activity in Southern California.
- A handful of Laguna Beach High School graduates were awarded over $18,500 in scholarships from the Rotary Club of Laguna Beach at its annual convocation ceremony for seniors graduating with honors.
- Aliso Niguel High School junior Jaslene Massey was named athlete of the year on the all-Orange County girls track and field team for winning first place in the discus competition and second place in the shot put at the CIF state finals this season.
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