Cape seventh-grader places in countywide talent show
Middle and high school students danced and sang their way across the stage at the second annual “Every Child Is a Star Talent Show,” produced by the Southwest Florida Addiction Services, on Nov. 15.
More than 150 people attended the talent show at First Christian Church in downtown Fort Myers, which included 23 contestants performing song, dance and instrument solos.
Contest winners
– First place: Noelle Aparte, seventh grade, St. Andrew Catholic School, sang “And I’m Telling You, I’m Not Going” from the musical “Dreamgirls”; won $150.
– Second place: Katherine Ines Pinedo, 11th grade, East Lee County High School, Lehigh Acres, sang “I Can Hear the Bells” from the musical “Hairspray”; won $100.
– Third place: Eli Johnson, 12th grade, Cypress Lake High School, Fort Myers, danced to “African Chill Beats”; won $50.
Guest performances also were provided by The Shining Stars from the STARS Complex, directed by Mr. Deke, and two skits on underage drinking performed by the Estero boys varsity basketball team.
“One of our patients who is graduating from The Vince Smith Center (a SWFAS adolescent residential treatment facility) also spoke about her personal experience and the consequences of drinking and drugs,” said Martha del Valle, SWFAS talent show coordinator.
“Our goal was to provide teens with a fun, safe venue to express themselves without using alcohol, tobacco and other drugs,” she added.
In addition to the talent show, the afternoon included a silent auction of themed baskets as well as educational material on underage drinking.
The event was funded through a grant from the Bobby Nichols Fiddlesticks Foundation. Additional support was provided by First Christian Church, which provided the location for the event; the Salvation Army, which cooked and served refreshments; and Hodges University, which hosted a bake sale and donated the proceeds to the event.
SWFAS is the most comprehensive substance abuse treatment and prevention program in Southwest Florida, serving 5,000 people per year from ages 9 to 90.
SWFAS offers outpatient and residential programs for adults and youth from seven locations in Lee County and two in Hendry County. In addition, SWFAS provides detoxification services for adults, prevention programming and an Employee Assistance Program for about 60 Southwest Florida businesses.
SWFAS services are not free. Fees are charged on a sliding scale, based on family income. In many cases, private insurance is accepted. SWFAS is a United Way agency.
For information about SWFAS prevention services, contact Martha del Valle at 332-6937, ext. 111, or visit: www.swfas.org.