May 21, 2026 — Pebblebrook students, teachers, and family members recently gathered in the Performing Arts Center to celebrate senior Mike Leon Martinez for winning a $10,000 scholarship from the Fox Theatre's All Access Pass Program. Mike is a technical theatre student at Pebblebrook's Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts (CCCEPA) magnet program.
"This is just our second year of the program, and we’re so proud of Pebblebrook’s participation," shared Leigh Burns, Director of Community Partnerships with Fox Gives. "What we really want to focus on is achievements in the arts and help to build quality programs for Georgia high school students that focus on job development and careers in the performing arts."
The Fox Theatre's All Access Pass Program was created after a strategic planning initiative identified the need for more career-focused arts programming across the state. In addition to scholarships for exceptional students like Mike, the program also features workshops and professional experiences in the arts.
Fox's Education Manager Carly Lovell praised Pebblebrook’s faculty and facilities while encouraging students as they prepare for life after high school.
"You guys are so lucky to be in this type of environment," she told the students with a smile. "With all these facilities and your wonderful teachers, you are doing phenomenal work."
She also recognized the efforts of teachers and staff members who supported the students throughout the year, including CCCEPA Director Robert Connor, who brought his school into the All Access Pass Program from its very beginnings.
"I want our school and our students to have every opportunity possible," Connor explained. "This scholarship obviously helps Mike personally, but more than that, it is a confirmation that what we are doing here is making an impact and being seen. We have disciplined and dedicated students and top-notch faculty who are constantly raising the bar, year after year after year."
The scholarship selection process was highly competitive. Nine students applied, submitting portfolios, recommendation letters, written responses, and participating in interviews with the scholarship committee.
Throughout the application process, Mike demonstrated exceptional knowledge of scenic technology and design, showcasing productions he worked on during his time at Pebblebrook. The judges were also impressed by his leadership abilities and willingness to mentor fellow students.
"He proved to be a leader at his school, guiding other peers to learn from his process," Carly said.
She also revealed that Mike had earned the highest overall scores from the selection committee.
In addition to his technical theater experience, Mike’s background in music and his appreciation for multiple artistic disciplines helped distinguish him from the other candidates.
"He displayed comprehensive knowledge in scenic technology and was able to discuss examples of his work on scenic design. He also showed that he understands and appreciates different aspects of the art form, which will benefit him in being a well-rounded artist," Carly said to well-deserved applause for Mike.
Mike’s CCCEPA instructors agreed, noting his enthusiasm and attention to detail, and describing him as engaged, eager to learn, and consistently curious about the professional side of theatre production.
"He can do it all. Whatever's needed in the moment, Mike is your guy," said CCCEPA Technical Director Travis Williams. "He could walk into a union shop tomorrow, and be put to work and be very capable of doing all the things that they asked him to do."
"If we were a sports team, Mike would be the captain," agreed CCCEPA Assistant Technical Director Mayur Deshmukh. "This kid's future is so bright because he's gonna do so many good things. He's brought all his classmates so far in this program, and I know he'll just keep doing that when he's in North Carolina."
Mike has been accepted to the prestigious Design and Production Department at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where he plans to continue pursuing scenic design and technical theatre. He said the $10,000 scholarship will go a long way toward helping pay for his first year of college.
"I was jumping off the walls, excited when I learned I won this scholarship," he said. "A school like North Carolina is expensive, and this brings my financial burden a little lower. I'm extremely grateful to the Fox Theatre for this!"
Congratulations to Mike and CCCEPA for being recognized by the historic Fox Theatre as one of the state's premier performing arts programs! This event served as both a recognition of one student’s accomplishments and a reminder of the enduring impact of arts education on young people pursuing creative careers!
