The Commercial-News, Danville, IL

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July 11, 2008

Organization seeks talented local teens

BY ANNA HERKAMP

DANVILLE — Vermilion County teens will have an opportunity this summer to compete on stage for money and a trophy.

The Project Success Teen REACH talent contest takes place the evening of Aug. 1 at Lincoln Park.

Any youth age 8 to 17 are eligible to enter their singing, music, dancing, comedy, poetry or theatrical talents.

The top contestant in each of the three age categories will win $200 and a trophy. Judges will evaluate the acts for talent, appearance, presentation and audience response.

The show is the first of its kind for the after-school youth program.

“This is our first try,” said Kimberly David, Teen REACH coordinator.

“Some of the sites have done smaller versions for parents. We wanted to try opening it up to the whole community and make it more of a community awareness event.”

The program will have concessions available for patrons.

“We’re going to sell hot dogs, chips and drinks that night to make a little bit of money, but a lot of it will probably go to the winnings,” she said.

David hopes to have up to 50 or 60 kids participating. Many of them will be Teen REACH kids.

John Steward, the site director for the Catholic Charities Teen REACH group at Georgetown Ridge Farm High School, said many of his kids are getting their acts together.

The Ridge Farm group has 41 kids enrolled. The participants range in age from 10 to 17.

Several of them are preparing songs or poetry performances.

“We hope (the contest) gives them some confidence and reassures them they can accomplish whatever they put their minds to,” he said.

The contest gives the community a chance to see the need for youth programs in the area, he added.

“It seems like these days the youth are overlooked. We want to take (care) of them as much as possible,” he said.

COMING UP

Vermilion County’s Teen REACH program will present “Vermilion County’s Got Talent” at 4 p.m. Aug. 1 at Lincoln Park. The public is invited. Food and drinks will be sold to support Teen REACH.

Age categories are 8-10 years, 11-13 years and 13-17 years. The entry fee is $20 for one to two people in an act and $30 for three or more in an act. The number of entries is limited, so contestants should submit entry forms soon.

For more information or to have an entry form emailed, contact Kimberly David at (217) 822-2580 or kdavid@vcprojectsuccess.org.

Entry forms also are available at the Danville Family YMCA or at the Danville Township Building, 101 W. North St.

Entry forms and fees are due to David by 4 p.m. July 24.

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