McALLEN — Hundreds of high school students, many of whom were dressed to the nines, gathered inside the lobby of the McAllen Performing Arts Center on Wednesday evening.
The mood was electric as they anticipated the start of the fifth annual Palm Awards, a celebration of local high school theater. Founded by retired Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD high school theater teachers Michael Alebis and Gilbert Zepeda Jr. in 2017, the awards show offers an opportunity to highlight the efforts of high school students and theater directors as they compete for awards in 25 categories.
PSJA Southwest’s Delilah Gutierrez poses on the red carpet as local high school drama students attend the fifth annual Palm Awards at the McAllen Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Actor and comedian Cristina Alonzo hosts the fifth annual Palm Awards at the McAllen Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Local high school drama students walk the red carpet as they attend the fifth annual Palm Awards at the McAllen Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Former PSJA North theatre director Gilbert Zepeda poses on the red carpet during the fifth annual Palm Awards at the McAllen Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Harlingen High’s Charlotte Hughes walks on the red carpet as local high school drama students attend the fifth annual Palm Awards at the McAllen Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Photos are taken while local high school drama students walk the red carpet as they attend the fifth annual Palm Awards at the McAllen Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Local high school drama students walk the red carpet as they attend the fifth annual Palm Awards at the McAllen Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])PSJA Southwest’s Mara Torres poses on the red carpet as local high school drama students attend the fifth annual Palm Awards at the McAllen Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Local high school drama students walk the red carpet as they attend the fifth annual Palm Awards at the McAllen Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Attendees wait for the start of the show as local high school drama students and others attend the fifth annual Palm Awards at the McAllen Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Local high school drama students walk the red carpet as they attend the fifth annual Palm Awards at the McAllen Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Local high school drama students walk the red carpet as they attend the fifth annual Palm Awards at the McAllen Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])PSJA Southwest’s Ariana Arosco poses on the red carpet as local high school drama students attend the fifth annual Palm Awards at the McAllen Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Local high school drama students perform during the fifth annual Palm Awards at the McAllen Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Actor and comedian Cristina Alonzo hosts the fifth annual Palm Awards at the McAllen Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Local high school drama students and others attend the fifth annual Palm Awards at the McAllen Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Local high school drama students attend the fifth annual Palm Awards at the McAllen Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])A live orchestra preforms during the fifth annual Palm Awards at the McAllen Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])
