Lexington School District Two invites the public to an induction ceremony this month for three individuals selected to the district’s Fine Arts Hall of Fame.

The three — Jeremy Hudson, Jacquelyn “Jackie” Moore McNeill, and Steven Whetstone — will be recognized for their contributions to the arts during an induction ceremony, set for 5 p.m. Thursday, October 16, at the Lexington Two Performing Arts Center, 3205 Platt Springs Road.

The Lexington Two Fine Arts Hall of Fame recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated excellence in art, music, theatre, dance, or creative writing. An inductee may be a graduate of Airport High School or Brookland-Cayce High School; a Lexington Two educator who greatly contributed to arts in the district; a community member(s) who has given time and resources for the advancement of the fine arts in Lexington Two; or any combination of the three. Inductees are selected by a committee of Lexington Two stakeholders.

Here are this year’s inductees:

Jeremy Hudson: Jeremy Hudson found his love for the arts in West Columbia and has been a professional in the industry for 20 years. He started with performances in school talent shows, chorus and drama and furthered his training with The Southern Strutt.  His work has ranged from dance, acting, creative direction, and choreography, covering multiple mediums of entertainment. His career includes more than 20 feature films with dance roles in Fame, La La Land, The Greatest Showman, as well as with Ryan Reynolds, Will Ferrell, and Octavia Spencer in the Christmas film Spirited. He has been featured on shows such as Glee and Dancing with the Stars as both a performer and choreographer. Hudson has performed on shows and world tours with pop icons including Kylie Minogue, Lady Gaga, Carrie Underwood, Katie Holmes, Shania Twain, Beyonce, Mariah Carey  and Pink — most recently contributing choreography to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, Pink’s Summer Carnival Tour, and Benson Boone’s Coachella performance. In addition to tours and film, Hudson has many notable performances on live television and awards shows, among them the Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, iHeart Radio Music Awards, BRIT Awards, MTV Europe Music Awards and the Emmys. Hudson is still working in the industry and strives to share his love for dance through his teaching and creating with the younger generation of dreamers. He hopes to inspire young artists to pursue even their wildest dreams and to be an example to them, noting “anything is possible no matter where you come from!” 

Jacquelyn “Jackie” Moore McNeill: The late Jacquelyn “Jackie” Moore McNeill was a renowned musician, devoted educator, and arts leader whose influence reached far beyond the classroom and stage. A gifted vocalist, she co-founded the South Carolina Opera Workshop and Columbia Lyric Theatre, performing lead roles in Così fan tutte, Carmen, The Tales of Hoffmann, Madame Butterfly, Aida, and countless productions of The Sound of Music. She was crowned Ms. South Carolina Senior America, also earning national recognition for her platform on arts education. As an educator, she began her career at Wardlaw Junior High, later serving as choral director at Northside Middle School, music educator at Springdale Elementary and Lexington High School, and ultimately became the first fine arts consultant for Lexington School District Two. Her work shaped generations of music teachers in Lexington and Richland counties. She held leadership positions in numerous professional organizations, among them past president and editor of SC Musician for the South Carolina Music Educators Association, chair of the South Carolina Arts Alliance, president of SC Partners of the Americas, and active member of national and state music and education associations. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she served more than 60 years as choir director at Trinity United Methodist Church and for more than 50 years as soloist at Columbia’s Tree of Life Congregation. Her extraordinary legacy as a performer, teacher, and advocate for the arts continues to inspire generations.

Steven Whetstone: Steven Whetstone, a South Carolina-based artist with a BFA in art from the University of South Carolina, has built a distinguished career in oil painting, watercolor, and drawing since 2003. Whetstone’s passion for art was nurtured early on by inspiring teachers at the former Saluda River Elementary School (now Saluda River Academy for the Arts), Northside Middle School, Brookland-Cayce High School, and the Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities. His work reflects both technical mastery and a deep connection to the artistic traditions and communities of the Southeast. His work has been represented by notable galleries across the state including Haven’s Framemakers & Gallery (2003-2009), I. Pinckney Simons Gallery (2006-2011), Verve Interiors (2009-present), The CLIMB Studio (2016-2022), and Four Corners Art Gallery (2020-2024). In 2024, Whetstone opened Steven Whetstone Fine Art in West Columbia. Whetstone’s art has been showcased in numerous solo and group exhibitions, recognized with awards including the Columbia Museum of Art’s People’s Choice Award, and featured in publications such as Columbia Metropolitan Magazine, Free Times, USA Today, as well as on television with ESPN and the SEC Network. In addition to his artistic practice, he has contributed illustrations for USC Football’s Hall of Captains since 1990, taught and juried art statewide, and generously supported local charities through donations of his work, solidifying his reputation as both an accomplished artist and a committed advocate for the arts.   

The three newest Lexington Two Fine Arts Hall of Fame inductees join the inaugural class of inductees: William E. Ackerman, Dr. Deborah Smith Hoffman, Vicki Stilwell Horne, Larry Francis Lebby, Eva Pilgrim, and Keith Williams.