‘My dreams came true’: Tyler Legacy theatre student becomes national award finalist

TYLER, Texas ( KETK ) – Fabiola Caraballo Quijada took the Broadway stage by storm last month as she represented Tyler at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards.

“We are elevating arts and schools and we are showcasing the talent of students across the country,”  Rachel Reiner, executive director of the awards also known as the Jimmy Awards, said.

Caraballo Quijada was one of 102 students who showcased their talents to industry judges in hopes of winning the title of best actress and actor.

“She came out stellar and really tore the roof off the Minskoff with her solo and was definitely recognized to have immense talent,” Reiner said.

After 11 days of singing, dancing and hearing from Broadway’s best, Fabiola took the stage to sing her heart out as Nostradamus from Something Rotten. Then the moment came for the finalist to be named, and hers made the list.

“My name got called by the Josh Groban the Sweeney Todd on Broadway last year, and he’s just an icon,” Caraballo Quijada said.

Fabiola chose to sing “I’m Here” from The Color Purple as a tribute to her theatre director.

“Every single time she listened to it, she thought of me, and that’s why I decided to keep going with that song, I felt like every single time I sang it, I took her with me,” Caraballo Quijada said.

Caraballo Quijada said it’s a moment she will never forget as she also received a $40,000 scholarship.

“I’m incredibly blessed by the people around me, by the Lord I know and love,” Caraballo Quijada said. “See, this is the moment when it sinks in that I’m like, ‘oh my gosh, this is what I’ve accomplished.'”

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