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May 19, 2009 - On May 9, Courtney King, a third grade student at the Goshen Intermediate School in Goshen, took the title in the first-ever “Goshen Idol” competition.

Sponsored by the Class of 2009 All-Night Grad Party Committee, the “Goshen Idol” competition was open to students in all schools in the Goshen District. More than 150 students auditioned and were narrowed down to 19 contestants.

The two judges were artist Pat Mazo of Bodles Opera House in Chester and theatre performer Jack Carino of Jack Carino Interior Design. The evening’s emcees were Goshen High School students Evan Hammond and Joe Pietropaolo, who created a fun-filled evening with their wit and professionalism. Matthew Matyus serenaded the audience with the piano during the ballot count, and several high school students ran the lighting and sound.

In addition to the judges, the audience also helped select the top three finalists, which were narrowed down to were Jennifer Brescia and Katie Ann Vaccarelli of Burke Catholic School and Courtney King of the Goshen Intermediate School. King won with her rendition of Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” and received the only standing ovation of the evening. The three finalists have been invited to perform on the Bodles Opera House stage and all are invited to attend Bodles open-mic night on Thursdays.

The All-Night Party Committee would like to thank the Original Tube T-Shirt Company, who donated the “Goshen Idol” t-shirts for the competitors, and Ideal Printing & Graphics, who printed the ballots, free of charge.

DVDs of the competition are available for purchase for $20. If you would like to purchase a DVD or wish to donate prizes or gift certificates to the All Night Party, contact Laureen Somers at somersland@aol.com or 294-6059 or Kathy Mallard at kmal61@hotmail.com or 294-0915.

The 19 contestants were Christopher McClorey, Scotchtown Avenue Elementary School; Alexandra Bassani, Goshen Intermediate School; Adriana Capelli, Goshen High School; Melinda Tarulli, C. J. Hooker Middle School; Brittany McDonald, Burke Catholic School; Ivy Giffone, Goshen Intermediate School; Anna Garcia, Goshen High School; Zachary Konstantinidis, Goshen Intermediate School; Katie Ann Vaccarelli, Burke Catholic School; Sarah Gordon Goshen High School; Anna Boese, Scotchtown Avenue Elementary School; Braxton Clark, Goshen Intermediate School; D.J. Mahoney, Burke Catholic School; Kim Jacobi Goshen High School; Courtney King, Goshen Intermediate School; Grant Crawford, Goshen High School; Paige Howell, Goshen High School; Jennifer Brescia, Burke Catholic School; and Stephanie Naru, Burke Catholic School.