Arts awards

Two deserving individuals have been honored with awards from the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri. Mike Dumey received the Otto Dingeldein Award for outstanding achievement in the arts, and Utahna Hancock received the Jeff Maguire Award for her special contributions to the arts council.

Mike Dumey has seemingly boundless energy. His lifelong musical skills have evolved into teaching junior high school students to perform at levels often compared to Broadway productions. The annual musicals at Central Junior High School in Cape Girardeau are among the hottest tickets in town. Along the way, he instills values in his young performers that will last them a lifetime.

Utahna Hancock served as the arts council's chairwoman through a two-year period that included several months when the group had no director. A sculptor, Hancock joined the Artists Co-op at Southeast Missouri State University and also helped form another group for artists. Her award especially recognized her leadership while the arts council chose a new director.

The arts community in Cape Girardeau is one of its many cultural assets. Thanks to many supporters of the arts, this area offers varied arts programs. Hats off to Dumey and Hancock for the special contributions.