Pass Christian Elementary School teacher Cherynne Denise Wright has been announced as the recipient of the sixth annual L.U.C.Y. Award presented by GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi. She will be honored during the Mississippi Museum's 2025 Gala on Thursday, Oct. 30. Wright will also receive a cash honorarium and student admission tickets to be used for Museum tours and education workshops.
“We are thrilled to honor Cherynne Wright as the recipient of our 2025 L.U.C.Y. Award,” said Emily Havens, Executive Director of GRAMMY Museum Mississippi. “This award was created in memory of someone very close to our hearts, the late Lucy Janoush. Cherynne has done so much to ensure that music remains a vital part of education in Mississippi. Lucy would be proud to know we are continuing to carry on her legacy by recognizing educators who are shaping the lives and futures of our children through music.”
“I am deeply honored and humbled to be selected as this year’s L.U.C.Y. Award winner by GRAMMY Museum Mississippi in recognition of my work as a music educator,” said Cherynne Wright. “This award is both a privilege and a reminder of the incredible students, colleagues, and community members who inspire and support me every day in sharing the power of music. I am grateful for this honor and for the opportunity to continue nurturing creativity, expression, and a love of music in young learners.”
“Our family is deeply honored and delighted to congratulate Cherynne Denise Wright on being named the recipient of the 2025 L.U.C.Y. Award. We are confident that Lucy herself would be profoundly proud to see the outstanding contributions Cherynne has made as a dedicated music educator,” said Mary Parker Redditt, daughter of Lucy Janoush.
Music education was a cause of great significance to Lucy, and it is truly inspiring to witness the enduring impact of this work on students, the community, and beyond. Through Cherynne’s commitment and passion, Lucy’s vision continues to be realized every day.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Cherynne for her unwavering dedication to advancing music education and making a meaningful, lasting difference. Additionally, we sincerely thank the Grammy Museum Mississippi for their ongoing efforts to honor Lucy’s legacy by recognizing the invaluable role of music educators.”
Wright will be honored as this year's recipients of the L.U.C.Y. Award at the Museum's 2025 Gala on Oct. 30 in Cleveland, Miss. Presented by Quality Steel, the 2025 GRAMMY Museum Gala will also honor GRAMMY®-winning singer/songwriter Trombone Shorty as the recipient of the seventh annual Crossroads of American Music Award.
Tickets for the 2025 are $200 and are currently on sale to all. Platinum sponsors also include CANNON BUICK GMC of Cleveland, Kirk Auto, the Paul Janoush Family, and Whole Cellars Package Store. More details will be announced soon.
Named after devoted Mississippian and community advocate, Lucy Janoush, who was instrumental in securing funding for the development of the Mississippi Museum, the L.U.C.Y. Award celebrates K-12 educators from the state of Mississippi who embody the educational mission of GRAMMY Museum Mississippi. To apply, educators had to complete an online application by submitting an original unit of lessons covering a minimum of four weeks, and a video of themselves teaching one of the lessons within the unit submitted. Academic educators must incorporate music as a tool for teaching course content, while music educators must incorporate at least one other academic content area as a tool for course content.
