The National High School Musical Theatre Awards, better known as the Jimmy Awards, celebrate outstanding student achievement in dance, acting and vocal performance.

“I had this crazy idea, along with a friend of mine, Susan Lee, at the Nederlander Organization and we went to Jimmy Nederlander, and we said, ‘you know, we want to create a program that is inspirational for young high school students that would bring them to New York and give them opportunities and access to all that Broadway has to offer.’ And Jimmy said, yes,” Van Kaplan, co-founder of the Jimmy Awards, said. “And here we are, 15 years later.”

In its 15 years, the Jimmy’s have seen the rise of musical theatre stars like Reneé Rapp, Andrew Barth Feldman, and Eva Noblezada, who is currently starring in “The Great Gatsby” on Broadway. But the program’s mission is more than just creating stars.

“I think the main goal is a sense of community and a sense of belonging [and] working through that process together to find that reward is really, I think, our main goal,” Keisha Lalama, choreographer, said.

Students compete at a regional level before competing in the main event. NY1 caught up with the students representing New York.

“My favorite part was definitely getting the opportunity to meet people that are interested in the same thing that I am because, in something like theater, you build a connection that’s like family because it’s something that’s so intimate,” Ashlee Fucarino, Jimmy Award nominee, said. “And to get the opportunity to meet people that are so passionate and so driven and have worked so hard to be here. It’s really, really inspiring and I’m grateful to like learn from my peers.”

“I just cannot believe I’m in a room with 101 other talented kids like, it really feels like we are rehearsing for Broadway right now,” Isaiah Baston, Jimmy Award nominee, said. “Being a part of the Jimmy Awards is unreal.”

“Being a part of the Jimmy Awards is inspiring,” Fucarino added.

For more information, visit jimmyawards.com.