Crossroads Arts Alliance Celebrates Exceptional Young Artists with Annual Student Scholarships
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — July 9, 2026 — On the evening of July 9, 2026, board members and guests of Crossroads Arts Alliance (CAA) gathered at Giuseppe’s to celebrate and award student arts scholarships for the second year in a row. The ceremony opened with remarks from Kerry Molina, Founding President of CAA, who shared the non-profit’s core vision with those in attendance.
Crossroads Arts Alliance is dedicated to connecting creatives with the community through arts experiences that inspire, engage, educate, and entertain. Following the opening remarks, Scholarship Chair Susan Crowther Miller took the stage alongside selection committee members Dawn Quill, owner of Arts Van Gogh in Haymarket, Virginia, and Jaclyn Del Vacchio, owner of J.Del Vacchio Prints of Gainesville, Virginia to recognize this year’s outstanding talent.
Arts students in grades 9 through 12 across Prince William County were eligible to apply. "Many talented students applied, making it genuinely challenging to determine the awardees," Crowther Miller shared during the ceremony. Out of a remarkably talented applicant pool, the three recipients selected for their exceptional dedication and vision were Zoe Ampofo, Met’Heru Diop, and Naiya Alexander:
Zoe Ampofo (Recipient of the VT Burns Visual Arts Award for a graduating senior pursuing visual arts at university): A graduate of Forest Park High School, Zoe is recognized by her teachers as exceptional in every way. Possessing a keen eye for detail and composition, she brings extensive experience in traditional 2D media, graphic design, and digital drawing.
Met’Heru Diop (Recipient of a Crossroads Arts Alliance Award): A graduate of Woodbridge High School, Met’Heruis a theater artist who brings passion, integrity, and brilliance to her work. Described by one of her instructors as the most remarkable student they have ever encountered, she stands out not only as a gifted thespian, but as a compassionate, inspiring leader with a rare level of advocacy and vision.
To honor their achievements and support their future creative endeavors, the alliance presented each of the three recipients with a $500 scholarship award, totaling $1,500 in student funding for 2026. Board members present expressed immense pride in supporting the creative youth of Prince William County as they embark on their next chapters.
About Crossroads Arts Alliance
Crossroads Arts Alliance is a non-profit organization based in Prince William County, VA, dedicated to connecting creatives with the community through arts experiences that inspire, engage, educate, and entertain.
Media Contact:
Susan Crowther Miller, Scholarship Chair
Crossroads Arts Alliance
Email:pwccaascholarships@gmail.com
Website:crossroadsartsalliance.org
Naiya Alexander (Recipient of a Crossroads Arts Alliance Award): A graduate of Forest Park High School, Naiya excels in a wide variety of traditional and creative mediums. Her work reflects a deep understanding of visual storytelling and exceptional creativity, paired with a steadfast commitment to using her artistic talents to uplift others.