Foundation Announces Recipients of 2026 Anita F. Boorda Scholarship
Scholarship supports students pursuing education in performing arts
The Community Foundation of St. Joseph County has announced the recipients of this year’s Anita F. Boorda Scholarship for the Performing Arts: Joshua Buckler, Penn High School, attending Butler University; Ellie Hopper, LaPorte High School, attending New York University; David Polaniecki, Saint Joseph High School, attending the University of Notre Dame; and Clara Walton, Adams High School, attending Macalester College.
This highly competitive scholarship provides recipients who plan to pursue a degree in Performing Arts, Music, Theatre, Dance, or Production with $2,500 in tuition support. This scholarship is renewable for up to four years.
The Anita F. Boorda Scholarship for the Performing Arts was established by the Broadway Theatre League to honor their beloved former Executive Director. During her tenure with BTL, Anita was responsible for contracting shows, marketing, negotiating with unions, and maintaining contact with New York touring and production companies. Her efforts led to South Bend becoming a regular stop on the New York touring circuit. This scholarship aims to support students from St. Joseph, Elkhart, Marshall, Kosciusko, Fulton, Pulaski, Starke or LaPorte Counties in Indiana or Berrien and Cass Counties in Michigan who plan to purse a degree in Performing Arts, Music, Theatre, Dance, or Production through a full-time course of study. Reflecting the passion of Anita, preference is given to students engaged in the performing arts during their high school careers.