Friends of Northwest School of the Arts

09/11/2026

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdKG2ouC0lD/?stkn=MXV5dzZsbWx3NWxuaA==

09/02/2026

Congratulations to the NWSA staff and scholars. For the first time in the school’s history, NWSA is an “A” school!!!

08/18/2026

Come visit us at the PTO table during Open House. We’re in the gym.

08/18/2026

Kick off the 2026–27 school year with a chance to win a brand new pair of Apple AirPods Max 2 — premium over-ear headphones with next-level noise cancellation, stunning sound, and that unmistakable Apple design. These retail for $549. Not a bad way to start the year.

Tickets: $10 each · 6 for $50
Raffle closes September 30, 2026 or when sold out

🎧 Prize: Apple AirPods Max 2 (Color: Your choice!)
📅 Draw date: October 5
📣 Winner announced on NWSA PTO Facebook & Instagram. Live stream link will be published.

ENTER HERE: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/friends-of-the-northwest-school-of-the-artss-annual-raffle--2026

Bonus: This raffle is bundled into our $50 PTO Family Pack — membership + spirit tee + this raffle entry. Grab the bundle at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/friends-of-the-northwest-school-of-the-artss-memberships

Official rules: https://www.friendsofnorthwest.org/raffles

Kick off the 2026–27 school year with a chance to win a brand new pair of Apple AirPods Max 2 — premium over-ear headphones with next-level noise…

05/15/2026

Today is the day — someone is going to win $2,500! Join us on Zoom at 1:45 pm to see who is the lucky winner of our PTO’s big raffle!

Zoom link:
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/87564523335?pwd=FAlaeCuF4boj0vFdsXnbkC9larTtU7.1

Huge thanks to everyone who purchased tickets and donated to our fundraiser!

05/04/2026

It is officially Teacher Appreciation Week and NWSA PTO would like to thank all of the amazing teachers and staff for the wonderful work they do!

NWSA Takes the GOLD! 🏆

04/22/2026

🎓 Rising Seniors = Big Pride! 🎓

Class of 2027 families, now’s the time to grab your senior yard sign and get ready to celebrate all summer long ☀️

Don’t wait until it’s too late—order before the end of the school year!

👉 https://www.friendsofnorthwest.org/store/product/YS-NWSA-SENIOR

Let’s show our senior pride all over town 💙

Friends of Northwest PTO

04/21/2026

✨ Alumni Spotlight ✨

Meet Mahalia Latortue-Pridgett — NWSA Class of 2012.

You've been watching Abbott Elementary. She's been helping make it.

Mahalia is a TV development coordinator and director's assistant on one of the most celebrated shows on television right now.

From the halls of NWSA to the writers' rooms and sets of Hollywood — this is what's possible.

We're building something to bring alumni like Mahalia back to campus for the students who are sitting in those seats right now. If you believe in what NWSA produces, consider supporting the PTO: https://tinyurl.com/NWSAPTO

More to come. 🎭

04/20/2026

✨ Alumni Spotlight ✨

Meet Warner Watkins — NWSA Theater & Dance Alum 1998.

Warner didn't follow a straight line after graduation. He performed in community theater, took the stage in a production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, learned stage swordfighting at the Carolina Renaissance Festival, and pursued a BFA. Then 9/11 happened — and everything changed.

He answered the call. Warner has served the federal government since 2002 and the U.S. Air Force from 2006 to 2013.

But here's the thing — he never stopped using what NWSA gave him.

"Whether I am communicating with different stakeholders or conducting research exercises where I play the part of a 'bad guy' to test security, my theater background is a major asset. It is essentially method acting with a lot of improv."

Today, Warner volunteers with student playwrights and actors, and is watching his own children grow into musicians, artists, and dancers.

In his words:
"NWSA did not just teach me how to play a part. It gave me the confidence and communication skills to serve my country and my community."

This is the other side of an arts education that doesn't get talked about enough. The skills are real. They go everywhere you go.

We're collecting alumni stories — and building something to bring them back to campus. More to come. 🎭

Warner (right) and Vann Doubleday in a performance of Forever Plaid. Class of '98

Help us keep this going!: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/support-the-arts-at-nwsa

04/17/2026

✨ Alumni Spotlight ✨

Meet Donnie M. Everett — NWSA Class of 2005, Dance.

Donnie didn't just pursue his passion after graduation. He's been living it on one of the world's biggest stages — performing in Michael Jackson ONE by Cirque du Soleil for over a decade, making him one of the longest-standing cast members in the show's history.

In his own words:
"NWSA will always be the place that gave birth to the artist in me."

This is what NWSA does. It doesn't just teach — it transforms.

We're building something for the students walking those halls right now — so they can look back 20 years from now and say the same thing Donnie does.

If you'd like to give us some TLC: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/support-the-arts-at-nwsa

More to come. 🎭