First-ever ‘Goshen Idol' competition benefits all-night graduation party

GOSHEN — An eight-year-old was named the first ever “Goshen Idol” during the Goshen High School’s Class of 2009 All Night Substance Free Graduation Party Parent Committee recent “Goshen Idol” competition. Goshen Intermediate School third-grader Courtney King won first place honors with her performance of Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On,” earning the “Goshen Idol” title and the only standing ovation of the evening. Jennifer Brescia won the second place title while third place went to Katie Ann Vaccarelli. These finalists have been invited to perform on the Bodles Opera House stage on an upcoming date yet to be determined and all invited to attend Bodles open-mic night on Thursdays. Over 150 contestants auditioned in April for the competition which was open to all students in the Goshen School District. The field was narrowed to 19 with a May 9 performance. Pat Mazo of Bodles Opera House in Chester) and Jack Carino of Jack Carino Interior Design were judges. The finalists competing were Christopher McClorey (SAS), Alexandra Bassani (GIS), Adriana Capelli (GHS), Melinda Tarulli (CJ Hooker), Brittany McDonald (Burke), Ivy Giffone (GIS), Anna Garcia (GHS), Zachary Konstantinidis (GIS), Katie Ann Vaccarelli (Burke), Sarah Gordon (GHS), Anna Boese (SAS), Braxton Clark (GIS), D.J. Mahoney (Burke), Kim Jacobi (GHS), Courtney King (GIS ), Grant Crawford (GHS), Paige Howell (GHS), Jennifer Brescia (Burke), and Stephanie Naru (Burke). The audience and judges each had 50 percent of the votes to pick the top three. MCs were Evan Hammond and Joe Pietropaolo. Matthew Matyus provided piano entertainment. Anyone wishing to purchase a DVD of the evening for $20 may contact Laureen Somers at somersland@aol.com or 294-6059. Anyone wishing to donate prizes or gift certificates toward the GHS All Night Substance Free Party should contact Somers or Kathy Mallard at kmal61@hotmail.com or 294-0915.