Magnificat Junior Wins Shining Star CLE Singing Competition

Press release from Menorah Park:

Sept. 3, 2021

The third time entering the annual Shining Star CLE competition, now in its fifth year, was indeed a charm for Calista Zajac, a junior at Magnificat High School in Rocky River. Her winning performance of “Being Alive” from the musical, “Company” catapulted her above nine other finalists the evening of Sunday, August 29th.

After three rounds of auditions, featuring teens from ten counties and more than 60 schools, the Top Ten Finalists put on the performance of their lifetimes via live streaming. During the evening, Calista along with three other contestants were selected as the final four by the event’s judges: Jim Brickman, award-winning songwriter and pianist; Rashad V. Chambers, Tony award nominated Broadway producer of Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations; Telly Leung, actor and singer, and best known for his lead role in Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway; Trisha O’Brien, well-known jazz singer and entertainer; Carl Topilow, artistic director and conductor of the Cleveland Pops Orchestra; and Gina Vernaci, president and CEO of Playhouse Square.

Audience members then had the opportunity to vote for top placement from the comfort of their homes during the event held virtually due to the pandemic. Calista’s first place finish earned her the grand prize of a $10,000 college scholarship, plus $2,500 to her school’s music department and an opportunity to perform with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra at Severance Hall in Cleveland.

Olivia Nelson, a senior at Chardon High School, placed second and earned a $5,000 college scholarship.

Alexandra Newman, a freshman at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, earned third place and received a $2,500 college scholarship.

Emelia Aceto, a junior at Highland High School in Medina, earned fourth place and was awarded a $1,000 college scholarship.

After the exciting announcement of the winner, the evening’s host, WKYC senior health correspondent Monica Robins also reported that the event raised $430,000 in important support for a variety of memory care services provided through Menorah Park and its campuses in Beachwood and Chagrin Falls. Music provides a universal benefit for all ages and provides the last remaining memories and joyful experiences for older adults diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia. Donations may still be made by going to shiningstarcle.org.

The other competitors in the top 10 included: senior Daniel Blum of Mayfield High School, senior Gabi Ilg of Medina High School, junior Kate Liang of Aurora High School, senior Amir Smith of Cleveland School of the Arts, senior Kennedy “Pete” Smith of Andrews Osborne Academy in Willoughby and junior Leah Spacek of Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School.

Connor Bogart O’Brien returned as artistic director for his second year. He’s a native of Ashtabula and has been a soloist with several well-known orchestras including the Cleveland Orchestra. As a songwriter, several of his original songs have been featured on national television including ABC’s Days of Our Lives and MTV’s The Hills and he has received acclaim for songs in his two full-length albums. The students appreciated his coaching during their preparations for the competition.
Honorary Co-Chairs were Judy and Morry Weiss. Event Co-Chairs were Meredith and Jason Hillman, Audrey and Kenny Koblitz, Susi and Peter Meisel, Carmie and Todd Stein, and Beverley and Richard Uria.

This press release was produced by Menorah Park. The views expressed here are the author's own.