Knoch students conduct a dress rehearsal of “Oklahoma” in February. From left are Dori Shearer, Brecken Farrell, Sammy Jo Barnes and Brady Collins. At the Mancini Awards Sunday, Knoch's performance received Best Musical, Best Ensemble and Best Student Orchestra honors. Brecken was also recognized as Best Actor.

Butler County musical theater students received top honors in the 2019 Henry Mancini Awards.

The Mancini Awards, which recognize outstanding performances by students in Butler, Beaver and Lawrence counties, were celebrated on Sunday night at the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center in Midland, Beaver County.

Receiving the award for Best Actor was Brecken Farrell, who played Curly in Knoch High School's spring musical, “Oklahoma.”

Mia Manuppelli was awarded the Best Actress trophy for her portrayal of Belle in Mars High School's spring musical, “Disney's Beauty and the Beast.”

Knoch High School took the awards for Best Musical in its budget category as well as overall Best Ensemble and Best Student Orchestra.

The Best Supporting Actress was awarded to Rachael Waldron for her portrayal of Paulette Buonufonte in Freeport High School's spring musical “Legally Blonde.”

Slippery Rock High School took home Best Lighting Design and Best Scenic Design in its budget category for “Mary Poppins.”

Mars High School also won Best Lighting Design in its budget category for “Disney's Beauty and the Beast.”Brecken and Mia also received $1,000 Phil Inman Scholarships. The scholarships — given at the Mancini Awards ceremony for the first time on Sunday night — are named for a longtime music teacher and director at Rochester High School in Beaver County.Industry professionals as well as former Mancini Award honorees served as presenters.The star of the CBS television show “Bull” and original cast member of “Hamilton,” Christopher Jackson, served as keynote speaker.The evening featured performances by students from the schools nominated for Best Musical, students nominated for individual awards, and two students from each school joined to perform the evening's finale.As best actor and best actress, Brecken and Mia will join the winners from the Civic Light Opera's Gene Kelly Awards as well as Mancini winners from across the nation for a nine-day experience in New York City that will include private coaching, master classes and rehearsals with theater professionals.A panel of industry experts will then judge a production on stage by the winning students at Broadway's Minskoff Theater, home of “Disney's The Lion King.”The panel will select exceptional students for The Jimmy awards for Best Performance by an Actor or Actress.The Jimmy nominees will receive opportunities for merit scholarships, professional advancement and other prizes.

Mia Manuppelli Mars High School