The schools selected are: Brooks, Pleasant Union and Wildwood Forest elementary schools; Wake Forest-Rolesville Middle School; and Leesville, Sanderson and Wake Forest-Rolesville high schools.

Pieces of Gold is produced by the Wake Education Partnership and the Wake County Public School System.

The annual event showcases the talents of more than 800 students. Throughout the year, teachers and students work to create performances that supports arts curriculum learned in schools.

The show takes place at 7 p.m. March 27 at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh.

Tickets go on sale to parents Jan. 16 and to the general public Jan. 22. Tickets can be purchased at the Progress Energy Center box office on Wilmington Street or through Ticketmaster by calling 834-4000. Prices range from $15 to $50.

For more information, visit www.wakeedpartnership.org.

Good luck to Ravenscroft School student Thomas Valone, who was named a finalist in the youngARTS program, a part of the National Foundation for the Advancement in the Arts that rewards high school seniors interested in the arts.

Thomas was one of 140 students chosen to showcase their performances during youngARTS Week in Miami in January, according to a news release from NFAA.

Students are recognized in nine fields from dance, film and video, classical, pop and jazz music, photography, theater, visual arts, voice and writing.

Thomas was named a finalist in the writing category.

Winners can receive up to $10,000.