Pearland High School Student Recognized as Outstanding Performer, Earns Jimmy Awards Nomination

Carlos Garza, a 2025 Pearland High School graduate has been awarded the Outstanding Performer Award at the Tommy Tune Awards, solidifying his status as one of Houston's official Jimmy Awards nominees.

The Jimmy Awards, often referred to as the "Tonys” for High School Musical Theatre bring together top performers from across the country. Each regional award show selects two exceptional students to compete for significant scholarships and the opportunity to perform on Broadway at the Minskoff Theatre. This event serves as a crucial pipeline for aspiring young theatre professionals, offering unparalleled exposure to the wider theatre community.

Garza will compete in the Jimmy Awards on Monday, June 23rd, at 7:30 PM EDT. The event will be livestreamed, and the community is encouraged to follow Pearland ISD social media for more information to tune in and support.

This esteemed award recognizes a culmination of his remarkable talent and dedication. Primarily, it honors his outstanding performance as Frank Abagnale Jr. in Pearland High School's winter musical, Catch Me If You Can. Carlos was judged against over 70 other schools and more than 5,000 students from the greater Houston Area, ultimately being deemed the best. Additionally, Carlos underwent a rigorous audition process for the Jimmy Awards nomination, which involved preparing a new song and demonstrating his ability to incorporate notes and direction over the past month. This achievement is the result of seven months of tireless effort at Pearland High School and the Hobby Center.

The Outstanding Performer Award is considered one of the "Big Four" honors of the Tommy Tune Awards ceremony and is the final award announced—underscoring its immense significance. While this marks Pearland High School’s first-ever Best Actor win, it is the second time a PHS student has earned this prestigious title. In 2013, Allison Anderson was named Best Actress for her role as Nellie Forbush in South Pacific, a year in which PHS also won Best Musical, and she went on to represent Pearland ISD at the Jimmy Awards. Carlos Garza now joins that elite legacy, meeting and exceeding the benchmark of excellence this award represents.

"Carlos is an incredibly hard worker," said Ryan Simpson, PHS director of Theatre Arts. "This award is incredibly validating, and I know how much effort he poured into this day in and day out. But to me, the true measure of this achievement is the response. Anyone who knows Carlos understands how much this means to him and seeing the reaction from everyone onstage when he won, and everyone in the audience, shows how truly special he is.'"