Dream Big Kick-off Event

Baltimore School for the Arts Jazz Ensemble kicks off the afternoon with some smooth grooves

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”-James Baldwin

BSA Jazz Ensemble

Host and former Dream Big 2023 winner, Naima Gordon greets guests.

Director of Education, Denise Kumani Gantt, gets attendees excited for Dream Big 2026

Guests stop by to visit Lyric Baltimore's table managed by Marketing Director, Sam Herr.

Meaghan, Marketing Manager, hosts a raffle to win Dream Big merch and tickets to shows at Lyric Baltimore.

Excited attendees

Ebony Evans, Deputy Director of Education, greets former winners, partners and board members.

BSA Jazz Ensemble

Dream Big Ceremony

_MG_8734.jpg

Congratulations to the 2025 Dream Big finalists!

 

Visionaries

• Ella Sohn, Eastern Technical High School, 10th Grade

• Jalen Blackwell, Gerstell Academy, 9th Grade

• Tajae Holloway, New Song Academy, 8th Grade

• Mackenzie Smith, Margaret Brent School, 8th Grade

• Ariana Charon Felder, Milford Mill Academy, 11th Grade

• Joelle Watts, Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women, 9th Grade 

• Lotus Johnson, Baltimore Montessori Charter School, 5th Grade

• Mamadou Diallo, Hamilton Elementary/Middle, 6th Grade

• Catherine Marie Graham, St. Philip Neri, 8th Grade

 

Dreamers

• Tynasia Robinson, Baltimore Revolutionary Academy for Virtual Education, 10th Grade

• Hiyall Fitsum, George Washington Carver Center for Arts & Technology, 11th Grade

• Aniyah Stuart, Katherine Johnson Global Academy, 7th Grade

• Alexis Megan Weaver, Towson High School, 9th Grade

• Rhys Connolly Guilfoyle, The Community School, 12th Grade

• Kalyani Banks, Baltimore School for the Arts, 10th Grade

• Oluwafayosi Oluwalade, Milford Mill Academy, 11th Grade

 

Strivers

• Logan C. Moon, Calvert Hall College High School, 11th Grade

• Goodness Alafe, Eastern Technical High School, 10th Grade

• Kayla Alexis McMurray, Milford Mill Academy, 11th Grade

• Quinn Guilfoyle, The Community School, 10th Grade

• Noah McNally, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, 12th Grade

Dr. King had an incredible vision built on principles of justice, equity, and love. In honor of his memory, the Lyric asks Baltimore City and Baltimore County students in grades 5th to 12th to create artworks based on their big dream for a better world. Students are eligible to enter the contest with a 500-word essay; a one-page poem; a piece of visual art; or a 60-second edited video.