Stars are born at United Way kick-off
By MaryAnn Kromer, mkromer@advertiser-tribune.comArticle Photos
More than 200 people came to The Ritz Theatre for The Seneca Star Search Saturday evening. Judy Clem, chairwoman for the 2009 United Way campaign, and Pat DeMonte, executive director of Tiffin Seneca United Way, made brief welcoming remarks and explained the theme of this year's effort, "Pulling Together, Now More Than Ever."
United Way's goal for this year is to raise $455,000.
"Each year the needs in our community increase ... this year, more than ever. We are trying to be a little creative in our efforts to help raise additional dollars to help reach our campaign goal. We understand there are more people than ever needing help (some recently unemployed) and less people able to give. We hope our community members who are able to give will support the United Way campaign and dig a little deeper to assist those who are desperately needing our help," DeMonte said.
Keith Hodkinson served as master of ceremonies and introduced the judges who would decide the winners.
The judges included Miriam Fankhouser, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Tiffin University; Ruth Lape, music teacher, now retired from Tiffin City Schools; Jackie Therriault, former dance instructor with Dance Unlimited; and Chris Tucci, director of theater at Heidelberg University.
Taking the first-place prize, a $1,000 savings bond from Old Fort Bank, was vocalist, Jazmine Shaw, a sophomore at Heidelberg. Second place, winning $250 from Laminate Technologies, was Audiotroph, a rock band comprised of Hopewell-Loudon High School students Codee Adams, Cory Kontak, Joe Ranker and Ryan Tran. Third place of $100 from Baumann of Tiffin went to Nikki Kimmet, pianist from New Riegel High School.
During intermission, audience members placed votes at $1 each to determine the People's Choice award. Emily Maksemetz, 11, a Hopewell-Loudon student, earned that honor and a trophy to take home. The voting brought in $331 for the United Way.
In addition to the top performers, the other contestants were Heather and Tom Fisher; Nathan Morton; Cassi Traunero and Austin Crabtree; Christine Hoffman; Heather Goble, accompanied by Ben King; and Laura Phelps.
Last year's winning trio, Danielle Glason, Shanice Alexander and Trachele Parker, performed at the end of the competition.
Martin Koop of Tiffin teamed up with Ethan Freckleton, a nationally acclaimed songwriter, to perform while the winners were chosen.
DeMonte said she was pleased at the public response to launch the organization's campaign and vote for their favorite local artists.
"We think we had a really great United Way Campaign Kick-off show, filled with great community talent. We appreciate all those who auditioned and individuals in the show, for sharing their time and talents with us," she said.
