These changes, alongside others, were made due to the closure of schools and businesses because of the COVID-19 as well as to ensure the safety of the students, directors and staff.

“Since COVID came and broke and rocked everyone’s world, a lot of things were being canceled,” Sponhouse said. “We felt the pressure and responsibility to put something together especially for our seniors. We started thinking … what can we judge, who can we judge … but also the ceremony itself and how we can make it happen?”

Normally, the ceremony would be held at the Community Arts Center on West Fourth Street, starting with a long red carpet outside for families and directors to take photos of the nominees.

This year, the red carpet was shortened to the lobby of the CTL for photos to be taken by Albright Studio.

PHOTO BY MALLORIE MCILWAIN The musical plaques and Ray of Light awards lined up, ready for their winners.

All of the area’s schools were able to have their plays in production and were judged at the ceremony.

Musicals this year were performed via previously recorded videos or solo performances and were each honored with a plaque instead of having a winner, as many musicals were not able to be in production due to the virus.

In addition, the runners-up for each award also got a certificate of accomplishment.

All together, there were eight live performances and five video performances from the community schools.

The schools present included: Jersey Shore Area High School, Williamsport Area High School, Central Mountain High School, Loyalsock Township High School, Hughesville Junior-Senior High School, Muncy Junior-Senior High School, Midd-West High School, Warrior Run High School, Montoursville Area High School, Shikellamy Area High School, South Williamsport High School, Benton Area High School, Central Columbia High School, Line Mountain High School, Meadow Brook Christian School, Milton Area High School and Selinsgrove Area High School.

“We hope to still encapsulate the celebration of high school arts,” Sponhouse added.

“In our 12 years of celebrating the amazing accomplishments in high school theatre, our world has not quite seen anything like COVID-19 crisis,” Phillip J. Vonada with the Community Theatre League, said. “It (COVID-19) left stages dark, sets unused and songs unheard starting mid-March.”

With that, students, directors, family members and performers celebrated their musicals and plays in honor of the high school arts.