Outreach

PHOTO: Dominion Energy External Affairs Manager, Winnie Wade (center) presents The Outer Banks Forum for the Lively Arts (OBFLA) a check for their scholarship program. Picture here from L to R: David Connaughton (OBFLA former President), Winnie Wade (Dominion Energy), and Carl V. Curnutte (OBFLA President).

Since their inception, the Outer Banks Forum for the Lively Arts (OBFLA) has enjoyed a strong connection to Dare County Schools; In recent years they have worked alongside students interns and supported arts education through scholarship. Thanks to a generous grant from Dominion Energy, this tradition continues.

Each year OBFLA gives scholarships to students who plan to study the performing arts in a college or advanced program. The awards are competitive with winners selected on their academic achievement, participation in the arts and the strength of their personal recommendations. Dominion Energy’s grant supports the education mission of the Forum: to promote local arts education with scholarship award for college-level study in the arts.

“We acknowledge Dominion, our education partner 2022-2025, for being a valuable community partner and helping us in our mission to bring high quality entertainment to the Outer Banks and support a vibrant future for the arts through scholarship,” said Carl V. Curnutte, President of the Outer Banks Forum.

“We were very pleased to encourage and reward young talent in our community,” he remarked. “Student interns are trained by the Forum to run lights and manage the seven-show music series held annually at David E. Oaksmith Auditorium in First Flight High School in Kill Devil Hills. This spring we were pleased to award scholarships to three exceptional students: Heath Miller, Ava Nultemeier, and Riya Braunstein.”

Heath Miller’s heartfelt passion is music of which he has been most successful having performed in jazz bands, concert and marching bands, and string orchestra groups locally at First Flight High School and regionally with Eastern Regional Orchestra and East Regional Jazz Band. He was accepted to study music at Berklee College of Music in Boston where he intends to study this fall.

Ava Nultemeier, was accepted at Appalachian State, UNC Greensboro, UNC Charlotte, and NC State. While pursuing her passion for dance, Nultemeier intends to study Music Production and earn an Engineering Bachelor’s Degree. While a student at First Flight, she attended NC Governor’s School of the Arts for dance. dance classes since two year’s of age and has participated in several arts organizations.

Riya Braunstein is heading to the New School in New York this fall, majoring in Film and double-minoring in screenwriting and drama. Over the years she has been active locally on and off the stage with The Lost Colony, Theatre of Dare, and Manteo High School’s Stage Left. Riya recently served as president of MHS Stage Left productions.

“On behalf of Dominion Energy North Carolina, we are proud to show our support for the Outer Banks Forum for the Lively Arts and their continued efforts to enhance and support the performing arts through scholarship,” said Winnie Wade, External Affairs Manager of Dominion Energy North Carolina.

The Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation supports various cultural activities throughout their service locations through their focus on community vitality. This gift fulfills their mission to foster “an appreciation of diversity, revitalizing neighborhoods, and ensuring a vibrant community life through support of cultural endeavors.”

About the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation
More than 4.5 million customers in 13 states energize their homes and businesses with electricity or natural gas from Dominion Energy (NYSE: D). Through its Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, as well as EnergyShare and other programs, Dominion Energy contributed $46.7 million in 2023 to community causes. The Foundation supports nonprofit causes that meet basic human needs, protect the environment, promote education, and encourage community vitality. Please visit www.DominionEnergy.com to learn more.

Dominion Energy External Affairs Manager, Winnie Wade presents The Outer Banks Forum with $3,000 for their scholarship program. Picture here from L to R: Zoe Kane (First Flight High scholarship recipient), Winnie Wade (Dominion Energy), and Morgan Deane (First Flight High scholarship recipient). Not pictured, Jay Moxley (Manteo High scholarship recipient).

(Kill Devil Hills, N.C., June 2023) – Each year the Outer Banks Forum for the Lively Arts awards scholarships to students who plan to study music or theater in a college or advanced program. Thanks to a generous grant from Dominion Energy, this scholarship tradition continues.

The awards are competitive with winners selected on their academic achievement, participation in the arts and the strength of their personal recommendations. The Dominion grant supports the education mission of the Forum: to promote local arts education with scholarship award for college-level study in the arts.

“We were very pleased to recognize such outstanding talent in our community,” said David Connaughton, President of the Outer Banks Forum. “We are honored to award scholarship this year to Jay Moxley, Zoe Kane and Morgan Deane. We look forward to following their progress.”

“We thank Dominion for being a valuable community partner and helping us in our mission to bring high quality entertainment to the Outer Banks and support a vibrant future for the arts through scholarship.”

Jay Moxley was accepted to two colleges and intends to major in theater and directing. They have been highly involved with chorus and school theatrical productions at Manteo High School and has also appeared regularly on stage with the Theatre of Dare.

Morgan Deane has worked alongside the volunteer board for the Outer Banks Forum as stage manager for the 2022-23 season. She has been incredibly valuable in that role. Morgan is regarded as a critical component of the performing arts program at First Flight High School. She has been accepted, and plans to attend Appalachian State pursuing a degree in Political Science and Pre-Legal. Deane intends to stay involved with the arts in college.

Zoe Kane ranks ninth in her class at First Flight. She has an extensive performance career on stage and in chorus. She recently charmed audiences with her lead role as Donna in “Mamma Mia.” Kane is planning to attend Wake Forest where she intends to pursue a major in political science and international studies. Zoe plans to continue her involvement in theatre at Wake.

“On behalf of Dominion Energy North Carolina, I am proud to show our support for the Outer Banks Forum for the Lively Arts and their continued efforts to enhance and support the performing arts through scholarship,” said Winnie Wade, External Affairs Manager of Dominion Energy North Carolina.

The Dominion Foundation supports various cultural activities throughout their service locations through their focus on community vitality. This gift fulfills their mission to foster “an appreciation of diversity, revitalizing neighborhoods, and ensuring a vibrant community life through support of cultural endeavors.”