San José
Public Library Announces Winner in "San José Teen Idol"
Competition
May 22, 2007 -
Eighteen hopefuls gave it their best on Sunday
(May 20) in the final round of San José Public Library’s
first “San José Teen Idol” competition, held
at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library. The competition was
intense, with several teens delivering performances that would have
done credit to more experienced performers. The panel of judges
had difficulty narrowing down the field, at one point considering
a sing-off for third place. When the decisions were announced, first
place went to diminutive, 12-year-old Thia Megia from Hayward, Calif.,
whose impassioned delivery of “I Am Changing” (Jennifer
Holliday) clearly pleased the audience of some 200 or more people
assembled to watch the performances in the library’s Fourth
Street Lobby.
Thirteen-year-old Los Gatos resident Andrea
Goeke took second place with her performance of “Hopelessly
Devoted to You” (Olivia Newton-John) and 16-year-old Samantha
Kang of San José drew third place for “If I Ain’t
Got You” (Alicia Keys). The winners took home gift cards valued
at $500, $50 and $25 for first, second and third place, respectively,
sponsored by the Friends of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library.
Judges for this final round included San José Youth Commissioners
James Hill and Sasha Berad, along with Bethel Church vocalist Lisa
Jenson.
More than 150 contestants competed in the first
round of competitions held in April at all branches of the San José
Public Library System. The contest was open to all teens, ages 12
– 19. Each branch sent one of their top three performers to
Sunday’s final competition. Both competitors and their selections
reflected the rich, cultural diversity of San José, with
Bulgarian and Spanish ballads sharing the program with current pop
songs.
Youth Services Coordinator Sandra Stewart, clearly
pleased with the event’s success, exclaimed “Can you
believe the talent these kids are exhibiting? We’ll definitely
have to consider repeating it again next year!” The “San
José Teen Idol” competition was sponsored in honor
of National Library Week (April 15-21) to promote the library as
a center for lifelong learning at all stages of life. More than
a showcase for teen talent, the competition encouraged teens to
stretch beyond their comfort zone and accept reasonable risk in
pursuit of their goals
FINAL CONTESTANTS:
Sharilyn Heinkel (17) - Almaden Branch
Cathryn Chippa (15) - Alviso Branch
Junryl Molina (12) - Berryessa Branch
Diana Davila (14) - Biblioteca Latinoamericana Branch
Rucha Heda (14) -Calabazas Branch
Andrea Goeke (13) - Cambrian Branch
Oscar Macias (12) - Dr. Roberto Cruz - Alum Rock Branch
Jessica Lau (12) - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
Chris Adams (15) - East San José Carnegie Branch
Alex Alegria (16) - Educational Park Branch
Kalpana Chinnappan (12) - Evergreen Branch
Samantha Kang (16) - Hillview Branch
Noelle Witcosky (12) - Rose Garden Branch
Samantha Worrall (16) - Santa Teresa Branch
Thia Megia (12) - Seventrees Branch
Megan Lopez (14) - Tully Community Branch
Jeannie Van Fossen (15) - Vineland Branch
Aakriti Jain (14) - West Valley Branch
For more information, contact:
• Lorraine Oback, San José Public Library, at (408)
808-2176
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