Michele Pawk, a Tony Award-winning actress and a Butler native, will encourage the Butler Leaders of Tomorrow when she speaks at the group’s dinner on May 10.

The 1980 Knoch High School graduate won a 2003 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her role in Carol Burnett’s “Hollywood Arms.”

Pawk was scheduled to be at the dinner, but now will deliver her remarks in a 20-minute video. She is unable to attend because she has just been cast in a new theatrical production, “The Paris Letter.”

She also has been nominated for Drama Desk, Outer Critics’ Circle and Helen Hayes awards for other roles.

Her Broadway appearances include “Cabaret,” “Crazy for You,” “Seussical the Musical,” “Chicago,” “Triumph of Love” and “Mail.”

More recently, she starred in the 2003 Goodman Theatre production of Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s musical, “Bounce.” She performed in Lincoln Center’s “American Songbook Series” a year ago.

She also has appeared in films and television.

Six community leaders were on the selection committee to pick the top students at Leaders of Tomorrow.They are: Theresa Brick, public affairs manager for Sprint; Michele Jurysta, account executive for the Butler Eagle; Joan Miller, vice president for development for Lifesteps; Leslie Osche, executive director of the United Way of Butler County; Stan Kosciuszko, president of the Butler County Chamber of Commerce, and William Speidel, director of the Butler County Community College Foundation.