Stars Garrett Clayton (Hairspray Live!) and Ashley Argota (The Fosters) have been tapped to host the fifth annual Looking Ahead Awards. The gala, organized by the Actors Fund to honor standout individuals from the youth performer community, will take place Oct. 28 at the Taglyan Complex in Hollywood and benefit the fund’s Looking Ahead program.
Two former Disney stars are set to receive top honors: Raven-Symoné will receive the Looking Ahead Award for Education, presented by Debbie Allen, and High School Musical alum Monique Coleman will take home the Looking Ahead Award for Community Service, presented by her High School Musical director Kenny Ortega. Also set to be honored is Joani Geltman, mother of actress Ari Graynor, who will receive the Judy and Hilary Swank Award for Parenting.
Adults won’t take home all the awards, however. The Elizabeth Taylor Award for Social Awareness, an honor designed to recognize a socially conscious youth cast, will be presented to the stars of Disney Channel’s Andi Mack. Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Joshua Rush, Sofia Wylie and Asher Angel will be presented the award by Taylor’s descendants, Vivian McMurray and Tarquin Wilding. Makayla Phillips (America’s Got Talent) and the Dream Talent Dancers will perform as part of the program.
The Looking Ahead Program, launched in 2003, works to provide youth between the ages of 9-18 the values and skills needed to succeed in the adult world.
