If you’re feeling inspired by North Carolina’s recent superstar success stories, you’re not alone. In fact, more than 50,000 young people audition for American Idol but very few will achieve the singing success of Raleigh’s Clay Aiken or High Point’s Fantasia Barrino. But don’t give up your dreams; just get real! High School Assembly has the lowdown on how you can make your talents and studies pay off.

Every year our nation recognizes talented teens who are both artistically talented and scholastically accomplished through the Arts Recognition and Talent Search, a program of the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts. From these talented teens, the NFAA nominates up to 50 National ARTS winners each year to the Presidential Scholar Foundation for consideration in the commission's selection of the twenty Presidential Scholars in the Arts.