Twenty-five talented high school singers from across the metro area have been selected as semifinalists for KC SuperStar!
This “American Idol” style competition will select the best high school singer in the metro area. KC SuperStar is produced by the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City. It is sponsored by Wells Fargo Advisors, Inc. Trudy Jacobson and Donna Thalblum are co-chairs for KC SuperStar.
These 25 students represent a cross-section of greater Kansas City. They will all compete again on Monday, June 11 at 7 p.m. with hopes of being selected for the Finals and winning the grand prize, a $7,500 scholarship.
A panel of music professionals selected the following students (their high school and year in school is also listed):
- Kira Altizer; Winnetonka – Senior
- Arthur Clifford: Olathe East – Sophomore
- Haley Crane: Raymore –Peculiar – Senior
- Cece Dawson: Kearney – Sophomore
- Noah Dayson: Pleasant Hill – Junior
- Jessica Earley: Frontier School of Excellence – Sophomore
- Emeri Eaton: Shawnee Mission West – Senior
- Katie Gomes: Park Hill South – Senior
- Juan Gonzalez: Blue Valley North – Senior
- Brianna Griffin: Archbishop O’Hara – Senior
- Jackson Gulick: Shawnee Mission Northwest – Junior
- Cory Henson: Grain Valley – Junior
- Steven Hodge II: Piper – Freshman
- Kalyn Hounshell: Belton – Sophomore
- Montrez Jones: Center – Senior
- Tekeshia Lee: Blue Springs South – Senior
- Grant Mayfield: St. Thomas Aquinas – Sophomore
- Rachel McMillan: Park Hill South – Junior
- Abigail Parra: Bishop Miege – Junior
- Erick Patrick: Olathe South – Sophomore
- Jacob Schweizer: Blue Springs – Junior
- Samantha Smith: Blue Valley West – Junior
- Monica Stanley: St. Teresa’s Academy – Freshman
- Haley Thomas: Odessa – Freshman
- Jean Whitley: Raytown South – Senior
“We are extremely pleased with the quality, and the diversity, of the talent of our contestants this year,” said Donna Thalblum, co-chair of KC SuperStar. “Our goal was to reach out to the entire metropolitan area, and we had contestants representing 71 institutions of learning.”
Semifinalists will attend a workshop in which they will receive feedback and guidance regarding their song selection for the competition. The KC SuperStar Semifinals’ performance on June 11 will take place in the White Theatre, Jewish Community Campus, 5801 W. 115th St., in Overland Park. It is free and open to the public.
The KC SuperStar Finals will take place on Sunday, Aug. 26, 7-9 p.m. in Yardley Hall at Johnson County Community College.
This year’s $7,500 scholarship, awarded to the winner of KC SuperStar, has been named in memory of Brooke Tivol McGrath. The second place winner will receive $2,500, the third place winner will get $1,000; all other finalists receive $250.
In addition, University of Kansas Basketball Coach Bill Self will also be honored as the Community SuperStar for his long-standing commitment to youth-oriented projects and programs.
Proceeds from the event benefit the JCC’s scholarship program, which provides financial help for children, families and individuals to access to programs and activities of the center. Funds raised will also support KU’s Athletics Program by providing educational opportunities to deserving student-athletes.
The Jewish Community Center provides programs and activities to people of all ages throughout the Greater Kansas City area regardless of race or religion. The JCC is a respected leader in the areas of child development and youth services, cultural arts, senior adult programming, and fitness and sports activities.
