PALM COAST, Fla. – As the curtain prepared to rise on the highly anticipated season finale, “Celebrating Celine,” the spotlight at the Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center briefly shifted from the stage to the students whose dedication to the arts earned them meaningful recognition.
At the start of the evening, Director Amelia Fulmer presented $1,000 scholarships—awarded by the Flagler Auditorium Governing Board—to six graduating seniors, including Hannah Zublionis and Landon Bushnoe. The moment marked not only an investment in their futures, but a celebration of the auditorium’s lasting impact on young artists.
For Zublionis, who plans to study entertainment management at the University of Central Florida, the scholarship carries both personal and professional significance.
“It means a lot,” she said. “I’ve worked here for the past few years, and it’s really taught me a lot about what the music industry looks like, how it’s run behind the scenes, and it’s really going to help me later.”
Her hands-on experience at the auditorium has offered insight into production, operations, and community engagement—lessons she says will stay with her well beyond graduation.
“Seeing the scholarship makes me feel good for the work that I’ve been doing, and the work that this auditorium will do in the community,” Zublionis added.
She also credited Fulmer’s mentorship as instrumental in her growth.
“It’s been great. She’s been so supportive of teaching me what goes on,” she said. “She’s going to teach me more, coming up with supporting the next season, even though she’s leaving. So, it has definitely meant a lot to me that she’s been so supportive.”
Bushnoe, who will attend Florida State University to study instrumental music education, shared a similar sense of gratitude and purpose.
“It means a lot,” he said. “This will definitely help boost me there.”
With aspirations of becoming a university music professor, Bushnoe reflected on the role the auditorium has played in shaping his journey.
“It’s hosted a lot of the band and jazz band concerts that I’ve been a part of through the last four years,” he said. “It’s just been an amazing environment… helping close my musical journey.”
As the evening transitioned into a celebration of Celine Dion’s music, the scholarship presentations underscored the auditorium’s mission—not only to bring world-class performances to the community, but to cultivate the next generation of artists and industry professionals.
For Fulmer, the moment carried added weight. With her retirement set for 2026, the evening served as a reflection of a legacy built on championing students and arts education.
“All these folks support you every day. They look like they just came here for a show,” Fulmer told the students gathered under the spotlight. “A lot of them buy concessions, they check that little box that says give money to arts education. Some people give us a generous check. All that money goes to our scholarship fund.”
She also emphasized the shared pride of the community in the students’ futures.
“Every one of these students are going into the arts and I know you’re excited about that,” she said, prompting enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Encouraging continued community connection, Fulmer added, “Please join us at our website FlaglerEntertainment.com over the next month because we’re going to be telling you more about these young people and how proud we are.”
