Teachers, mentors, civic volunteers, a singer and a PTA mom are among finalists for the 11th Annual Imagemaker awards, announced this week by Sallie Elliott, publisher and CEO of Applause Magazine, event sponsor.

        Ms. Elliott said the 27 finalists were chosen by a committee representing civic leaders, professionals and business people.

        The nine first-place winners will be announced at a gala 8 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Aronoff Center for the Performing Arts, downtown. Second- and third-place winners will also be recognized.

        Category finalists:

        Advocacy: Waldo B. Jeff, associate director for the Global Di versity Center of Excellence at Procter & Gamble; Tracey Lowe, a legislative lobbyist; and Lawrence Williams, vice president of the Talbert House.

        Communication: Andria Carter, a writer for Cincinnati Herald and civic volunteer; Nathaniel Livingston Jr., a radio talk show host on WDBZ-AM and founder of the Black Marchers Organization; and Dr. Kimberly Ventus-Darks, a nationally known speaker.

        Arts: Don and Paula Sherman, artists who have been instrumental in training children in the arts; Michael Thompson, an artist who specializes in training inner-city youths in the arts.

        Corporate Achievement: John Jackson, a Cincinnati Bell executive; Mary Jo McCants-Williams, an Internal Revenue execu tive who serves as a mentor to youth; and Joy Upton, a United Postal Service executive.

        Education: Teachers Janice Glaspie, Gwendolyn Womack and Doris McAdams.

        Entrepreneurship: Stephanie Grace, an account specialist at Tri-Health and PTA mother. She recently became a landlord by purchasing two Section 8 homes; Robert Humphries, a Hamilton County Probation officer who does extensive work in youth program; and John Thomas, owner of WCIN-AM.

        Medicine/health/technology: Miriam Crenshaw, chief executive officer of Winton Hills Medical Center, where health maintenance is provided for the underprivileged; Dr Denise Davis, who created a restorative health program; and Cheryl Hutchins, has distinguished herself in increasing the awareness of HIV/AIDS programs in African-American communities.

        Music/Entertainment: Kay Barksdale, gospel music vocalist for 30 years in Cincinnati; Kym Hunter, a nurse who uses music as therapy; and Rodney Posey, a minister who uses music in a street ministry program.

        Public Service: Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Nadine Allen, who has devoted time to educating youth about social responsibility; Marshall LaNier, Jr., who has served as a volunteer chaplain to prisoners; and Anthony Pack, founder of the Inner Tennis Project.

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