For a moment last month, Derek Palmeri knew what it felt like to win a Tony Award. The rising junior at Donegal High School earned an Apollo Award for his performance as the Emerald City Guard in the school's production of "The Wizard of Oz."

He described his reaction to hearing his name called at the May 19 ceremony as "complete and utter shock."

"I jumped out of my seat and started to make my way down the aisle," he recalled. "There were goosebumps and a warm fuzzy feeling that began to course all throughout my body, as well as a sense of accomplishment and self-pride." Derek won the Outstanding Featured Performer in a Musical award.

Created in 2008, the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards are presented annually to recognize outstanding achievement by local public and private high school theater programs in the central Pennsylvania area, explained Shawn Newlin, production manager and publicity for Donegal Performing Arts (DPA). Produced by the Hershey Theatre Education Department, the awards are modeled after the Tony Awards that recognize Broadway shows and performers.

"Twenty-five schools this year were recognized for outstanding work in a high school play or musical," Newlin said. "Each nominated student and school receive a monetary scholarship and certificate, while the winners receive a glass trophy and additional scholarship money."

DPA had five students nominated in the awards this year, all in various categories for the spring production of "The Wizard of Oz." Zoe Snyder was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Glinda the Good Witch. Rachel Wallace was nominated for honorable mention in the same category for her role as the Wicked Witch of the West. Landis Cramer, who played Hunk/Scarecrow, and Aiden Hipsky, who portrayed Zeke/Cowardly Lion, were both nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical. The school as a whole was nominated for Outstanding Dance Number in a Musical for "Jitterbug."

"In a separate category, Hannah Slobozien and Kara Nissly were nominated as Outstanding Student Playwrights," Newlin shared, noting that Hannah also played the role of Dorothy Gale in "The Wizard of Oz." Danica Guydish and Isabella Herman received Donegal's two Spirit of Theatre awards at the ceremony, and multiple Donegal students performed in the award ceremony's opening song and dance number, "I See Stars" from the Broadway production of "Mean Girls."

Newlin said it's a well-deserved honor for so many DPA students to be recognized.

"Our students put in countless hours for each production, both on- and off-stage and behind the scenes," he remarked. "The Apollo Awards are a wonderful program that recognize this hard work and add a special end-of-the-year celebration of our students' talent and dedication to their craft by honoring the individuals and productions that stand out amongst the rest."

While he emphasized the gratitude for the honors and the pride felt for DPA students, he underscored the main focus of the school's theater program. "The metric of success for each show remains in the magic that is created on stage and the friendships and bonds that are formed along the way," he said. "Our spring performance of 'The Wizard of Oz' was a resounding success and set attendance records, including the highest-attended single performance in Donegal history at the final Sunday matinee."

For Derek, the son of Robert Daum of Mountville and Danielle Daum of Marietta, winning the award was just the beginning of a new favorite pastime.

"This is my first time ever participating in my school's theater program," he said. "But it will most definitely not be my last."