By Roxanne Brown
Clermont Teens Take the Stage for Thrive Fundraiser
Tickets remain available for an evening of teen performances and student art Oct. 22 in Clermont, with proceeds helping fund programs that give local young people opportunities to learn, lead and prepare for adulthood.
Thrive Clermont’s first Teens Got Talent Showcase begins at 7pm on the Main Stage at the Clermont Performing Arts Center, 3700 S. U.S. Highway 27. The nonprofit is presenting the event in partnership with the City of Clermont and Landi-Lou Talent Agency.
The showcase features Lake County performers ages 13–18, along with an exhibit of local high school students’ artwork. Selected performers receive mentoring as they prepare to share their talents onstage.
“This is an exciting addition to Thrive’s yearly lineup of programs that empower teens to succeed,” says Sheri Lewin, Thrive Clermont’s executive director, in a news release. “Our organization is thrilled to partner with the City of Clermont and Landi-Lou Talent Agency to expand opportunities for Lake County teens.”
Organizers designed the event to help students build confidence, connect with peers and learn from professionals in the arts and entertainment industries. Landi-Lou Talent Agency is leading support for the performers, including stage coaching, professional headshots and hair and makeup services for the show.
Beyond the stage, proceeds support Thrive’s year-round educational, recreational and leadership programs for at-risk teens.
Sheri founded Thrive in 2015 after struggling to find local programs that could help her own children develop life skills and explore their interests. Thrive’s offerings now include Summer PopUps, where teens try activities led by local professionals, and an Adulting Series covering topics such as personal finance, job interviews, college planning and public speaking.
A Teen Advisory Council gives students a role in shaping and running programs, allowing them to practice leadership while helping create opportunities for other teens.
In a previous Lake & Sumter Style profile, Sheri described what serving those students means to her: “… To be able to serve them in any way is a privilege.”
For the upcoming showcase, Thrive is also seeking donated silent auction and raffle items, snacks for the VIP area and greenroom, and event signage. Businesses and community members interested in contributing can email admin@thriveclermont.org.
Tickets can be purchased through the Clermont Performing Arts Center’s event page. More information about Thrive and its teen programs is available at thriveclermont.org.
Originally from Nogales, Arizona, Roxanne worked in the customer service industry while practicing freelance writing for years. She came on board with Akers Media in July 2020 as a full-time staff writer for Lake & Sumter Style Magazine and was promoted to Managing Editor in October 2023—her dream job come true. Prior to that and after just having moved to Florida in 1999, Roxanne had re-directed her prior career path to focus more on journalism and went on to become a reporter for The Daily Commercial/South Lake Press newspapers for 16 years. Additionally, Roxanne—now an award-winning journalist recognized by the Florida Press Club and the Florida chapter of The Society of Professional Journalism—continues working toward her secondary goal of becoming a published author of children’s books.
