Seeley Stephens, a junior at TMI – The Episcopal School of Texas, won a 2013 award in Voice Performance from the National YoungArts Foundation, a Miami-based organization that provides recognition and scholarships to talented young artists in the visual, literary and performing arts. Out of 20,000 applicants in this year’s competition, which includes auditions, she qualified in the top four percent.

“It’s unusual for high-school students to receive the award in their junior year, so it’s especially prestigious for Seeley to achieve it this year,” said TMI Headmaster John W. Cooper, Ph.D., as he presented the award to Stephens during daily chapel services May 10.

Besides the plaque, certificate and scholarship award, Stephens’ name will be sent to colleges, universities and professional schools that have expressed interest in identifying exceptional young artists.

Stephens, 16, appears regularly in professional dinner-theater revues and made it to the “Hollywood Week” round of this year’s “American Idol” singing competition on FOX TV.