We are thrilled to announce our three recipients of this year’s Carmine Balletto Scholarship! Established in 1997, the Carmine Balletto Scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated excellence and commitment in dance. Encouraging the study of ballet and a lifelong devotion to dance, the scholarship covers the cost of four ballet and pointe classes per week, as well as all production and participation fees during the Fall & Winter/Spring semesters.
2026-2027 Scholarship Awardees:
Isla Gnojek
Isla Gnojek (they/them) is a senior at Free State High School. They found their passion for dance at the age of 3, and have continued pursuing that passion their whole life. They have been an active student at the Arts Center since 2013, and a member of the Lawrence Ballet Theatre since 2021. Isla also assists Little Movers dance classes and really enjoys working with children. They plan on dancing through college and would like to turn their love of creative movement into a career in education or social work. While this year is a difficult transition between high school and preparing for college, Isla is so excited and so grateful to be able to share their experiences with the wonderful people at the Arts Center. They cannot wait to see what the future holds!
Nichole Weis
Nichole Weis began her dance journey at just two years old and has been training at the Lawrence Arts Center for over twelve years. Since 2023, Nichole has been a dedicated member of Lawrence Ballet Theatre and has enjoyed attending and performing at Regional Dance America festivals. As an RDA outstanding soloist, she performed the Princess Florine variation at the annual End of Year Showcase, one of her fondest dance memories. She has further refined her technique during summer intensives with Kansas City Ballet, Saint Louis Ballet, Alabama Dance Theatre, and the Lawrence Dance Intensive. Throughout the school year, Nichole focuses her training in ballet, modern, and jazz. In addition to these, she has enjoyed experiencing contemporary, lyrical, hip-hop, character, flamenco, and many other styles through a combination of intensives and festivals. During her time at the Lawrence Arts Center, Nichole has had the opportunity to perform in various ballets, such as Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia, La Fille Mal Gardée, Don Quixote, and The Firebird. Throughout her years performing in The Nutcracker, she has danced nine different roles, with mechanical dolls being her favorite. In addition to dancing, Nichole is a sophomore at Lawrence Free State High School and enjoys painting, acting, and sculpture in her free time. She plans to carry her passion for dance with her into the future and is looking forward to growing as a dancer in the years to come with the support and guidance of the Lawrence Arts Center faculty.
Eleni Reece
Eleni Reece started dancing at the Lawrence Arts Center when she was three years old. At ten, she joined Lawrence Ballet Theatre and is in her fourth year with the company. With Lawrence Ballet Theatre she has attended multiple Regional Dance America festivals, including nationals in Daytona Beach, Florida. She has danced in various summer intensive programs including the National Training Program, the Dance and Choreography Intensive, and the Lawrence Dance Intensive. Eleni trains primarily in Ballet, Modern, and Jazz. She has also trained and had master classes in Contemporary, Hip Hop, West African, Ballroom, Musical Theatre, and Flamenco. Throughout her dance journey, Eleni has performed in numerous Lawrence Arts Center and Lawrence Ballet Theatre productions. Some of her favorites include Don Quixote, In Frame, Alice in Wonderland, Emergence, and eight productions of The Nutcracker. Outside of dance, Eleni is a Freshman at Lawrence Free State High School, and also enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and dog. She looks forward to continuing to share her love of dance with others and hopes to pursue her artistic journey beyond high school.
Learn more about Carmine Balletto
