2008 SFAS winner , Taylor Beckham opens the 2010 Searching for a Star Semi-Finals Competition...Photo by: D. Bottlinger

Thursday May 27th...THE SEMI FINALS 

The Searching for a Star  Competition Semi Finals  got underway without a hitch.  The opening act for the evening was Guitarist Leo Garcia; the newest addition to the teaching staff at the Ballard School of Performing Arts. Mr. Garcia’s performance was very well received as he demonstrated various techniques and sounds on his classical guitar.  Many in the audience commented on how much they enjoyed his playing!

Excitement was high as the show got underway with 2008 SFAS winner Taylor Beckham  sang the National Anthem.  The program continued with the welcome by SFAS Founder, Rob Hunter;  the invocation was given by Reverend  Raymond Perry; Pastor of Trinity Fellowship Baptist Church in Wylie.  Taylor Beckham  then returned to the stage to sing her new release "I Heart You"; a song that she wrote. The song was a hit with the audience.  

There were 14 performers in the semi finals this year, they all sang and performed marvelously.  At the end of the night 9 performers moved on to the finals.

The 9 performers in this year’s “Main Event” (the Finals)  were:
(Elementary Category 8 - 10 yrs) Kattie Patton( St. Paul), Kattie Schoenenkase (Parker) Olivia Sanborn (Rowlett) 
(Middle Category11 - 13yrs):Meagan McLaughlin(Wylie), Yaminah Lewis (Wylie) and Bianca Loren (Frisco)
(Senior Category 14 - 17yrs):  Skylar Addicks(Wylie), Brittany Thomas (Garland) and Mandolin Wiessner (Rowlett).

2009 SFAS winner D'Moreya Woods - Photo by: D. Bottlinger

Friday May 28th...THE FINALS

The show Stoppers...A group of violinists under the direction of Sue Hewitt; instructor of violin and piano at Ballard School of Performing Arts got the evening started. Their selections were very well received.  Also, special guest singer Marcie sang on both nights to the crowds delight!
Our thanks to Sue Hewitt and Macie  for their participation.

After the welcome and opening prayer by Kris Segrest, Pastor First Baptists Church in Wylie, the show got underway. Fist up was D’Morea Woods  2009 SFAS over-all winner who sang "There is Hope".  I was so pleased to hear the quality of his voice; he sang so well.  It is evident that both our 2008 & 2009 SFAS winners have both continued pursuing the goal of becoming singer/entertainers!
 
In 2009 the SFAS Ambassador program was established.  Our Ambasodors make perodic appearances at events sponsored by SFAS during the performers winning year.   
D'Moreya was actively involved by appearing at singing engagements and other events throughout 2009.

"Team Woods" consisting of  Ken and Savannah Woods (D'Moreya’s Parents) were very active too.  Mr. an Mrs. Woods are both members of the SFAS Planning Committee & Mrs. Woods serves as Vice Chair on the Searching for a Star Advisory Board.  I commended them for the involvement and encouragement that they give to their son D' Moreya.  Search for a Star Foundation is thankful for their support.  

Oh What  Night!

2010 Stars - Photo by: Dave Bottlinger

What a Night!  What a show!  The stars really cameout to shine, and they had plenty of support from past stars along with the 2010 star performers! They reallysupported the finalists. After each performance from the stars section the supporting cast whooped, hollard & high 5'd each performing star.  It was the kind of camaraderie that SFAS Staff  had hoped for...

The battle was on!  Each performer had to sing two (2) songs; the 1st,  a Performer's Choice song and the 2nd, the "Founder's Choice";  a song chosen by Rob Hunter.   The  way our stars were singing you could tell that they all wanted the top prize.  Some of them turned in their best performances of the year! 

After the performances the votes were tallied, and the results were given to Max Kennedy the  MC for he evening.

Here are the results:
 (Elementary Category 8 - 10 yrs) - 1st place winner   Olivia Sanborn,  2nd place -  Katie Schonenkase and 3rd place winner is Katie Patton.  
In the (Middle Category 11 - 13yrs):  1st place winner  - Bianca Loren, 2nd Place  winner - Yaminah Lewis and
3rd place winner - Meagan McLaughlin.
In the (Senior category 14 - 17 yrs.)  1st place - Brittany Thomas, 2nd place - Mandolin Wiessner and 3rd place -  Skylar Addicks. Each performer received trophies, medallions and cash awards.

Brittany Thomas Winner 2010 SFAS Competition - Photo by: D. Bottlinger

Brittany Wins!
This year’s over-all winner is Brittany Thomas!  For her win Brittany received $1000 cash award from the Search for a Star Foundation and a $500 scholarship award will be awarded to the fine arts department of Brittany’s school; NaamanForrest High School. Search for a Star Foundation’s mission is to raise funds to help  fine arts students. 

City of Garland Mayor Ronald Jones was attended  to present awards to Brittany.  " I am so proud of my star; Brittany"  said Mayor Jones, "I love what the Searching for a Star Program is doing for our youth”.   Special thanks to Mayor Mike Felix; he  has been an avid supporter of his Stars from Sachse and has attended  all four SFAS finals.  Other city representatives attending were:  Rowlett  Deputy Mayor Pro Tem, Todd Gottel whose city had 2 performers in the competition!  Parker Mayor, 
Joe Cordina,  and Murphy Councilman,  John Daugherty attended to show support and award medals and trophies to the Star Performers from their cities.  On behalf of Searching for a star I personally thank each city representative for coming.   The youth and parent teams were very pleased that you came. We hope to see you again next year!  Your appearance was  a very important part of the awards ceremony. The performers and families thank you for your support.  We hope you enjoyed the Searching for a Star experience...

Special thanks to my wife Debbie who works tirelessly with me, our emcee Max Kennedy, Pastor of Park Lake Church in Sachse, to Franklin Dillow our presiding judge and to all of our volunteers, especially our judges who had the toughest job ever!  Thanks to all of the families who trusted us with your most precious gifts...your children! 

I hope the SFAS experience is one that you cherish for years to come...

Lastly...  to all of the SFAS Performers past and present, you will always be a star!  Continue to pursue your dreams and don’t let anyone or anything hold you back!

Sincerely,

Rob Hunter

 Article Date: June 23, 2010

Left to Right - Mayor Jones, E. Thomas, Brittany, R Draper (Choir Director) and Rob Hunter

This spring, Brittany Thomas claimed top honors at the annual Searching for a Star Foundation talent competition and as part of her prize, the Naaman Forest student earned a $500 scholarship for her school's choir program.

Thomas, along with her mother Euphania, met with Searching for a Star founder and CEO Rob Hunter last week at Garland ISD administrative offices where they received the donation. The trio was joined by George Jones, GISD Director of Fine Arts, NFHS choir teacher Rob Draper and Garland Mayor Ron Jones.

"Brittany is our shining star", Hunter said. "From the start I could tell that she was a contender. She had a distinctly warm voice, wonderful personality, a smile that could light up a room; and beside all that she had talent!"

An eight-week stage course preceded this year's competition which leveled the playing field and made the contest more intense. After navigating her way into the final round, Thomas clinched the first place with her rendition of Celine Dion's  "I'm Alive".  That earned her $1,000 in cash and awards.

But Hunter's philanthropy did not stop with the contest. He wanted to reward Thomas's campus as well.

Mayor Jones (Garland) Brittany Thomas (R)

"Music is a wonderful outlet for these students to become involved with," he said. "When kids are away from school we want to keep them interested and engaged in positive activities that will help them develop as people. Fine Arts programs at schools do so much for students. They help them find new ways of expression and productive things to focus on when they are away from the classroom. We want to work with schools however we can to help them continue reaching out to kids and this is one way we can give back."

In addition to the check, Thomas and Hunter presented attendees with official Searching for a Star Foundation medals and lapel pins

SFAS OFFICIAL LOGO

Hello parents and performers,

I want to take this opportunity to personally thank you all for taking the time to come out to participate in round one of this year's Searching for a Star auditions; for many of you it is the very first step to becoming comfortable as a performer on the live stage!  As you go from audition to audition and then through the weekly the live shows, you will begin to understand the excitement and personal fulfillment that stage performers experience!

It was encouraging to see the response from parents who enlisted their children in this year’s Searching for a Star program.  I enjoyed meeting and hearing the new talent that has come along, it is also gratifying to welcome back returning stars from the 2007, 2008 and 2009 competitions. 

Each year I look forward to seeing performers with their varied emotions. Some come in as cool as a cucumber, while others are so excited that they are beaming. There are always the reserved and shy, but no matter the emotional state when they arrived, new performers will be transformed into our 2010 stars! Those of you with some stage experience will only get better!

Parents get ready; you and your children are poised to embark on a family adventure like no other!  As you team up with your star researching and looking for music that fits the voice and style of your performer, your knowledge and appreciation for music and the stage will definitely increase! Remember this year’s buzz word is BONDING!  Get your family and friends involved as cheerleaders for your team!  

Note: Because of the snow storms that we had last week, we have extended the registration period through Thursday, February 25, 2010. Those that take advantage of this late registration will have your first audition on Friday February 26th from 5pm through 8pm. Results from that night will be posted on that night by 9pm . If your name is listed, you will return the next day, Saturday February 27 to audition with the rest of the field….Good luck to you all

SFAS FIRST ROUND AUDITION RESULTS! 

The following performers are invited to audition for 2010 round two! 

The performers listed auditioned on Friday & Saturday 2/19 & 2/20/2010. If you auditioned and your name is not listed please contact our office at: 972-429-0047

If your name is listed, it’s on to round two!

Round 2 Audition Date:  Saturday February 27, 2010 at 10am till 4pm.  Please make sure you contact our office if you have questions…GOOD LUCK!