A Fulton County Schools student earned Broadway's highest honor for high school actors on June 22, bringing a $25,000 scholarship and national recognition back to a district that shares its performing arts infrastructure with every campus in north Fulton, including Johns Creek High School, Chattahoochee High School, and Northview High School.

Jake James, a student at Milton High School, won the Jimmy Award for Best Performance by an Actor at the 17th annual National High School Musical Theatre Awards at the Minskoff Theatre in New York City. He performed "It's Hard to Speak My Heart" from the musical Parade before more than 100 nominees from 58 programs nationwide. Saturday Night Live cast member Bowen Yang hosted the ceremony, which is presented annually by The Broadway League Foundation.

James is only the third Georgia student to win a Jimmy Award since the ceremony began in 2009. All three winners have come from Fulton County high schools.

"What makes Jake truly special is that he does not just tell a story, he makes you believe it," said Lynda Ankiel, Milton High School's theatre director, in the district's July 8 announcement. "In addition to his incredible talent, he has a tremendous work ethic. Day in and day out, Jake puts in the effort that most people never see."

How he got there

James earned his Jimmy nomination after winning a Shuler Hensley Award for his portrayal of Jacob in Water for Elephants at the Georgia Musical Theatre Awards. The role carries a Broadway connection: Kyle Selig, who played the same character in the show's Broadway production, is himself a 2010 Jimmy Award winner, according to his cast biography on Broadway.com.

District performing arts context

The Fulton County Schools Fine Arts Department runs K-12 programs in music, art, theatre, and dance across all campuses, including five Advanced Placement fine arts courses at the high school level, according to the district's program overview. Matt Koperniak, the district's Coordinator of Performing Arts, said James's win "is a powerful reminder that the talent nurtured within Fulton County Schools can shine on the national stage."

Koperniak added that continued support for the arts "ensures more young performers have the chance to discover their voice and reach their full potential."

The Jimmy Awards, formally known as the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, draw nominees from regional programs across the country. James reached the national stage through the Shuler Hensley Awards, Georgia's regional affiliate. The June 22 ceremony at the Minskoff Theatre is the same Broadway house where The Lion King performs eight shows a week.