A senior at the Center for Creative Arts who was critically injured in a bicycle accident last June 16 has been chosen as a national finalist in an arts competition sponsored by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts.

Trent Creswell was hit by a car on Dallas Road. His injuries were life threatening and, before he could speak in the hospital, he began to write.

He submitted his journey and recovery journal to the NFAA and is a writing finalist. He will travel to Miami next week with the opportunnity to become a presidential scholar in the arts.

He is described as "a testimony to strength and creativity."

He is among 141 of America’s best young artists selected.

Officials said, "Ten thousand dollars in cash; master classes by world-class artists and arts educators; a chance to be nominated as a Presidential Scholar in the Arts; an off-Broadway performance or exhibit in New York and much more will fuel the ambitions and dreams of the
young artists when they come to Miami for youngARTS Week, the core program of National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts.

Chosen from nearly 8,000 applicants in nine disciplines, these 17 and 18-year-olds will embark on this once-in-a-lifetime experience January 12-17, 2009 in an all-expense-paid trip.

The students were selected in a blind judging process from a pool representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as all U.S. territories.

There were only two Tennessee finalists.

Officials said youngARTS "celebrates and rewards exceptional student artists from across the U.S. in nine artistic fields: cinematic arts, dance, music, jazz, photography, theater, visual arts, voice and writing. Participation in youngARTS Week allows students to participate in master classes, workshops, readings, exhibits and enrichment activities, while also giving them the chance to perform in front of renowned artists and arts educators."

“We are honored to recognize these fine young artists,” said NFAA President Christina DePaul. “They represent the next generation of extraordinary artistic talent and it is our hope that their experience with youngARTS will not only provide them with the tools they need through scholarships and valuable educational lessons, but also compel them to pursue their passion.”

Following youngARTS Week in early January, each finalist will receive one of the following awards:

The coveted $10,000 Gold Awards, given to up to 15 deserving finalists;

The $5,000 Silver Awards, given to up to four deserving finalists in each of the nine youngARTS disciplines;

Level III, II and I Awards ranging from $1,000 to $3,000; and

The opportunity to be considered for the additional honor of being named a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts.

Non-finalists who demonstrate extraordinary talent are recognized with either a $250 Honorable Mention Award, given to the top 5% of the youngARTS registrant pool, or a $100 Merit Award, given to the top 10% of the registrant pool.

Concluding the 2009 youngARTS Week will be the annual An Affair of the Arts Performance and Gala, honoring this year’s finalists and paying homage to artist James Rosenquist, who will receive the ninth annual Arison Award. Three-time Tony Award nominee, Raúl Esparza will receive the fourth annual NFAA Alumni Award. Esparza appears on Broadway this season in the revival of David Mamet’s Speed the Plow and was a 1988 youngARTS Finalist in Theater. An Affair of the Arts will also feature an alumni performance by the Uptown Trio, who recently performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. Joining the Uptown Trio for the evening will be special guests youngARTS alumni, Madelyn Deutch and Richard Saunders.

youngARTS was established in 1981 by Carnival Cruise Lines creator, the late Ted Arison and his wife Lin Arison to identify uniquely gifted young artists and assist them both financially and educationally. Its roster of alumni includes actress and recording artist Vanessa Williams, dancer/choreographer Desmond Richardson, recording artist Josh Groban, New York Philharmonic guest solo violinist Jennifer Koh, jazz trumpet player Roy Hargrove, Broadway actors Ron Eldard and Raúl Esparza, writer Allegra Goodman and visual artist Doug Aitken.