Tinley Park teen prepares to represent Illinois at Jimmy Awards in NYC

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A student from Tinley Park is one of two local teenagers representing Illinois at the Jimmy Awards in less than two weeks.

Broadway in Chicago sponsors the program for musical theater kids.

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"I just want to go in there, learn from all these crazy, talented people, and just be a sponge. It's very rare people get an opportunity like this, and I just want to seize that and make the most of it," Logan Arroyo said.

Arroyo said he tried to make it to the awards for four years.

"My first year didn't get it, my second year, got nominated, third year, got nominated and now finally winning," Arroyo said.

He said he discovered his passion for theater in a third-grade play.

"I had never touched musicals, plays, anything like that. I got into it, and my teacher is like, 'Hey, you're really good at this.' And I was like, 'Am I?' I don't know. And my parents came and saw it. And they were just like, 'Wow, we didn't know that you could do that.' I wouldn't be where I am now without my parents. I say it's cliche, but they are my rock," Arroyo said.

The music director at Lincoln-Way East said Arroyo has a knack for storytelling.

"He did pretty early on indicate he wanted to do this; so I said, 'let's go, we're gonna work hard," Ann McMann-Kotze said. "Four years ago, my son, Joe, won. He won the best actor at the Illinois High School Musical Theater Awards. And he got to go to the Jimmys. So it's so fun getting to see Logan go. Also, he's kind of like another son to me."

Arroyo said he does sometimes get intimidated.

"It's a scary place, especially putting yourself out there on a stage or alone. You're on the edge of this precipice, and you're pushing yourself. And you're staying out there, and you're being you because that's enough," Arroyo said.

Arroyo and Jane Nuich of Park Ridge are heading to New York later this week for their Broadway debuts.