Spotlight shines on art center's best

The Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center Foundation honored several local difference-makers at its seventh annual Spotlight Awards Benefit Banquet held Saturday night.

The event raised funds for cultural arts programs for seniors and children in the area, and recognized members of the community who have contributed personal time and talents to promote cultural and performing arts in Simi Valley and throughout Ventura County.

Honored this year were:

• Artist of the Year: Elizabeth Stockton. Stockon has been involved with the cultural arts center for more than 10 years. She has appeared on stage at the Center in "The Mystery of Edwin Drood," "Cabaret," "Fiddler on the Roof," "Annie Get Your Gun," "Oklahoma," "Songs from the Tall Grass," and more.

• Young Artist of the Year: Austin Miller. Though only 12 years old, Miller has appeared on the Center's main stage for nearly three years. His acting resume includes "Seussical The Musical," "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," "Fiddler on the Roof," "Thoroughly Modern Millie," and "Songs from the Tall Grass."

The past year he was featured in major roles in "Ragtime" and "Seussical the Musical Junior."

• Educator of the Year: Bonnie Graeve. Graeve, a teacher in the Simi Valley Unified School District, has taught thousands of students in the universe of performing arts, including but not limited to choral groups, women's choruses, mixed choirs, and jazz choirs.

In 2007, her Royal High School vocal jazz students traveled to New York City and performed at Carnegie Hall.

• Volunteer of the Year: Win Gorell. Gorell has donated many personal hours over the past seven years, doing everything from being an usher, to serving as house manager and communications specialist, and she is a skilled event planner.

She is one of the hosts for the center's volunteer holiday celebrations and can be seen mailing thousands of invitations to the center's annual fundraising events.

• Pillar of the Arts Community Spotlight Award: Celine L. Gillibrand. (see related story, page 12)

• 2008 Humanitarian and Educator Spotlight Award: Debra L. McCarthy. For the first time the foundation presented an award posthumously, to a devoted music teacher who taught and had a positive impact on hundreds of children's lives.

Many pianists now performing at the center were former students of Debbie McCarthy, better known as "Miss Debbie."

For more than 20 years McCarthy gave private piano lessons to local and area children.

"Miss Debbie will be truly missed," said Raymond Cruz, the foundation's executive director. "She was an inspiration for many children and pianists in our community, and we salute her dedication to the performing arts and to her community with this award."