More than 1,200 students from 40 Johnston County Public Schools participated in the annual Showcase of Stars at the Paul A. Johnston Auditorium at Johnston Community College on March 6 and 7. The event featured four performances and an art gallery displaying over 500 pieces created by students across all grade levels.
The Showcase of Stars is a partnership between the Johnston County Education Foundation and Johnston County Public Schools, providing Fine Arts students with an opportunity to present their work to the community. Families and friends attended to see vocal, instrumental, dance, movement, and musical theatre ensembles performed by students.
“Arts Education is so important, and the opportunity to share the work we do with the community is special,” said Sarah-Fawn McLamb, K-12 Arts Education Curriculum Specialist. McLamb also said, “Showcase of Stars 2026 was a very special one. This is the first time in Showcase of Stars History that all four Arts Ed Discipline courses were represented in the show! The district is excited to showcase the skillset, hard work, and passion of our students and staff.” She added, “It is so exciting to celebrate the work of our school district’s Arts Educators and Arts Education students! Arts Education is so important, and the opportunity to share the work we do with the community is special.”
Attendees viewed artwork ranging from watercolor to photography in an exhibit compiled by visual art teachers. Students spent months preparing for their acts before rehearsing on stage at JCC prior to opening night. For some seniors who have participated since elementary school, this year marked their final performance.
Johnston County Schools serves more than 37,000 pre-kindergarten through twelfth-grade students from communities across Johnston County, North Carolina according to its official website. The district fosters cultural diversity with families representing more than 45 languages according to its official website, features state-of-the-art facilities supported by community backing according to its official website, stands as the largest employer in Johnston County while offering services like student transportation and nutrition programs according to its official website, and embraces a vision of empowering students for success in a global society according to its official website.
The Showcase of Stars has been co-hosted by JCEF and JCPS since it began in 1992. Through grant funding and other initiatives, JCEF supports creative teaching strategies throughout the district.
