Congratulations to the winners of the Yonkers Idol and Yonkers Junior Idol 2019 competition, Ada Victoria Israel and Amanda Gentile, who were crowned last week at the renovated Roosevelt High School.
The show opened with the finalists performing a Disney medley, and after a quick costume change, they took the stage again to perform “Be Our Guest” from “Beauty and the Beast.”
There were lots of applause and cheers as each finalist took to the stage, and there were multiple homemade signs and cheering sections for the finalists, made up of their families, friends, schoolmates and community members who filled nearly the entire auditorium.
The 2018 Yonkers Idol Nicole Nukho and Junior Idol Brandon Hernandez performed two duets, “Beauty and the Beast,” and brought the house down with their rendition of “Shallow,” with Nicole on guitar.
Congratulations go out to all of the finalists.
Teens age 15 to 19 competed for Yonkers Idol by singing one Disney song and one song of their choice. They include Zaina Shleiwet, Ada Victoria Israel and Amara Valerio. Junior Idol finalists age 10 to 14 sang one Disney song each. They include Mary-Lynn Israel, Jeriallys Jiminez, Aaliyah Syndor, Amanda Gentile, Molly O’Loughlin and Alyssa Fresco.
After the winners were announced, there were lots of hugs and flowers for all the finalists from their proud families and friends.
The mistress of ceremonies was Mary Calvi, and Marian Marji welcomed everyone and provided an overview of the competition and the hard work and preparation that all of the finalists made. Thanks go out to rehearsal coordinator Sarah Hasso, vocal coaches MJ Territo and Olivia Hunter, and choreographer Elisha Ivory for preparing the contestants.
As always, the Idol judges – Steve Sansone, Yon Zweibon, Peter DiIorio, Joyce Henery, Olivia Hunter, Ron Masciandaro and Victor LaGamma – had a difficult choice to make in picking a new Idol and Junior Idol.
And more thank-yous go to Beyond Costumes for outfitting the finalists, Top Class Limousine for transporting them in style, and teacher Kelly Hasso from Riverside High School for donating her time and artistic ability to the set designs.
The new 2019 Yonkers Idol and Junior Idol, Ada Victoria Israel and Amanda Gentile, each received a $1,000 cash prize from UPAC’s Theresa Fund, named after Theresa Sansone, who was a lifelong resident of Yonkers who was educated in the Yonkers Public Schools and graduated from Commerce High School.
Theresa had a special place in her heart for all children and their performing arts talents. Her family stated: “It is a fitting tribute that the Theresa Fund can help advance talented children that represent the City of Yonkers at all their functions.”
The judges said they hope that next year will bring more young men out to audition and make it to the finals. Last year’s Junior Idol Brandon Hernandez was not the first young man to audition and make it to the finals, but he is – so far – the first male Yonkers Idol winner.
Ada and Amanda will now perform events and special occasions across the city, so be on the lookout for both and their melodious voices. They will represent the city well!
