Tony Award Winning Entertainer Ben Vereen Honored with an Award Designed by MK Shannon

Ben Vereen first recipient of annual LaGuardia Arts Hall of Fame Award

New York, NY 

Ben Vereen was recently honored with an award designed by MK Shannon. The Florello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts in New York City presented the award. This school was the inspiration for the film and TV series Fame. Vereen is an alumni of LaGuardia HS, and is the first recipient of the annual LaGuardia Arts Hall of Fame Award.

Vereen has starred in numerous Broadway plays and musicals, including Wicked, Fosse, Chicago, Hair, Pippin, and Jesus Christ Superstar. He is a Tony award winner for his role in Pippin. He also appeared in Roots, the TV mini- series.

For their Hall of Fame Award, LaGuardia High School chose MK Shannon’s original design entitled “All Stars”. This sculpted award is cast in pewter and mounted on a black marble base with a custom engraved nameplate. It is about 9-1/2” tall.

LaGuardia High School, one of New York City’s prestigious specialized public high schools, offers conservatory training at the college level and comprehensive college preparatory courses for students 9-12 grade. Their website is www.laguardiahs.org

Bill O’Reilly Receives Unique Award by MK Shannon

Bill O'Reilly with MK Shannon Award

Bill O’ Reilly, the prominent TV journalist and host of “The O’Reilly Factor” on FOX News, was the recipient of a unique recognition award by MK Shannon Awards and Rewards. The unique award entitled “Heart of Gold” was chosen by the Wounded Warrior Project to be presented for its “Tony Snow Award”. This award is given annually to honor citizens in corporate America or the media who by their actions, have made a significant difference in the lives of injured service men and women. It also honors unwavering commitment to the Wounded Warrior Project and its mission. MK Shannon served in the Red Cross in Vietnam during the Vietnam War and feels a deep personal connection to projects that serve and bring attention to the men and women who have served our country overseas in the military.

Whoopi Goldberg Receives “Provincetown Care Award” by MK Shannon Awards

Whoopi Golderg with Award Designed by MK Shannon

Whoopi Goldberg, the renowned actress, comedienne, singer-songwriter, political activist, author and talk show host, recently received an award from Provincetown Cares, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds for women’s health and breast cancer through live entertainment.

The award entitled “United” designed by MK Shannon was presented to Goldberg at its annual Provincetown Cares benefit. The award is presented to honor individuals whose achievements through public or personal advocacy have made a difference in women’s health care.

The annual event is held to recognize the contribution of individuals and to raise money for research, education, screening and treatment for breast cancer and other critical health issues affecting women. Provincetown Cares has raised over $100,00 for these causes.

“Women Of Achievement Awards” 2013 by MK Shannon Awards

“As the nation's oldest and largest company dedicated to producing and promoting theater created by women, Women's Project is the magnetic force field for innovative artists and adventurous theater-goers from around the world.

For the past several years, the award entitled “Aspire” has been presented by the Women's Project to celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments of women from the worlds of entertainment and business. These women are recognized for their contribution to New York City and for the inspiration they provide to others. This award is a female figure designed by MK Shannon whose arm is reaching above her head and becomes a star.”

The 2013 recipients of these prestigious recognition awards included Joana Coles, Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan; Donna Kalajian Lagani, Senior Vice President/Publishing Director of The Cosmopolitan Group; Sheila Nevins, President of HBO Documentary Films; Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of the Broadway League; and the late Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan, Helen Gurley Brown. –

More information on Women’s Project Theater can be found at their website: www.womensproject.org.

“Rosie O’Donnell presented Sheila Nevins with her “Aspire” award by MK Shannon at the Women’s Project Awards 2013 event in New York.

Roseann "Rosie" O'Donnell is an American comedian, actress, author and television personality. She has also been a magazine editor and continues to be a celebrity blogger, LGBT rights activist, television host.

Sheila Nevins is an American television producer and the President of HBO Documentary Films. She has produced hundreds of documentary films for HBO and is one of the most influential people in documentary filmmaking.