Hispanic Youth Showcase 2003 Finalists
(in order of appearance)

TEEN INSTRUMENTAL CATEGORY
(Z to A)

INGRID URIBE
Age 17
Heritage: Colombia
"I dedicate my performance to the arts in general and to all the people who take part in it whether it be musical, vocal, visual, dance, theater or film. This is for all the creative people."

VERONICA RABELO
Age 13
Heritage: Cuban/Puerto Rican
"I hope to become a psychologist who reaches out to children through the arts."

DORIAN MORALES
Age 16
Heritage: Cuban/Dominican/Puerto Rican
"What worries me most about this world is the potential for a cataclysmic event that will wipe out the achievements of man."

CAMILO ERNESTO MOLINA-GAETAN
Age 13
Heritage: Puerto Rican
"I dedicate my performance to my family and the Afro-Latino rhythms that nourish my life."

GRICEL MELLO
Age 16
Heritage: Cuban/Uruguayan
"Winning the Showcase means that I have excelled in my talent and achieved one of my goals."

LEURY LEONARDO
Age 15
Heritage: Dominican
"I dedicate my performance to my grandmother who is in heaven."

JUNIOR DANCE CATEGORY

LAUREN ELIZABETH RODRIGUEZ
Age 11
Heritage: Cuban and USA
"My favorite performer is my sister, Amanda. She made it to the finals in the teen dance category."

ALLYN MERIDA
Age 10
Heritage: Guatemalan
"Winning this competition means that my goal in life of starting a dance academy has moved one step forward."

VANESSA CONTRERAS
Age 11
Heritage: Dominican
"This is my first Showcase. It would mean a lot to win because my goal in life is to become a professional dancer."

ANDREA CASTRO
Age 12
Heritage: Ecuadorian
"What worries me are war and the poverty, which affect children in Africa and South America."

SARAH BOMBINO
Age 8
Heritage: Cuban
"This is a great opportunity and will help me grow in the dance industry. My dream is to dance on Broadway."

SHAKIRA BARRERA
Heritage: Nicaraguan
"Tito Puente is my favorite performer. He puts his heart into his music."

TEEN VOCAL CATEGORY

JESSICA REYES
Age 16
Heritage: Puerto Rican
"Winning the Showcase would mean the world to me because it would give me a chance to be in the spot light and to be able to touch people through my voice. I love music."

JASMINE RAMOS
Age 14
Heritage: Puerto Rican
"I am a poet and an honor role student. I perform at community events and dream of becoming a professional singer and actress. "

MICAL PONCIANO
Heritage: Dominican
"I would like to perform my own songs and reach the hearts of the public who will follow me."

SKY LYNN PESANTE
Age 15
Heritage: Puerto Rico
"My dream in life is to become a star and have people admire my songs and style."

ARLENE NG
Age 17
Heritage: Chinese/ Colombian/ Dominican
"I dedicate my performance to my mother for working hard and giving me all that I have."

JENNIFER MELENDEZ
Age 16
Heritage: Puerto Rican
"What worries me the most in this world is that young unfortunate Hispanic children will not be able to see their dreams come true. I want to show them that there is more to their lives then death, drugs and teen mothers. "

JUNIOR INSTRUMENTAL CATEGORY

MELISSA ROMERO
Age 11
Heritage: Ecuadorian/Spanish
"Winning the Showcase means that all my hard work and dedication finally paid off."

ANTHONY ROLDAN
Age 12
Heritage: Puerto Rican
"I have hopes and dreams in my life. Winning the Showcase would be a good start for me in achieving one of my goals."

DANA RAMIREZ
Age 9
Heritage: Nicaraguan/Colombian/Ecuadorian
"My dream in life is to become the greatest music composer."

ELENA LOUIE
Age 12
Heritage: Philippine
"My dream in life is to become a concert pianist. Winning the Showcase means that I am a hard worker and have achieved a milestone."

DANIEL ECHEVARRIA
Age 12
Heritage: Ecuadorian/Portuguese
"This will be my first public presentation, and I'm excited and grateful to NJN for giving me the opportunity to grow by participating in such a wonderful cultural event."

ELIZABETH BAEZ
Age 10
Heritage: Dominican
"I dedicate my performance to my great-grandmother who is 96 years old. She needs to take a lot of medication to feel better but when I play the piano for her, she feels better and proud."

TEEN DANCE CATEGORY

JEANETTE CATHERINE SANCHEZ
Age 13
Heritage: Dominican
"I want to become a famous Broadway dancer or a dancer in videos."

AMANDA RAE RODRIGUEZ
Age 14
Heritage: Cuban/USA
"I dedicate my performance to my parents for all their hard work."

ALESY GLORIA ORTIZ
Age 15
Heritage: Cuban/Puerto Rican
"I dedicate my performance to my mother who was a former finalist. Secondly, to all of the people who truly love to perform and can not follow their love, either because of their lack of talent or they don't have the means to pursue it."

ELIZABETH VERONICA MEJIA
Age 16
Heritage: Cuban
"My dream is to become an actress, fashion designer and choreographer."

ORLANDO HERNANDEZ
Age 13
Heritage: Puerto Rican
"Winning the Showcase is an affirmation of all my hard work and it would give me possible opportunities and additional experience on stage."

NICOLE HERNANDEZ
Age 17
Heritage: Puerto Rican
"My dream in life is to own my own circus and dance company."

JESSICA GARCIA
Age 15
Heritage: Argentine/Spanish
"Winning the Showcase would mean my dream came true. I have come before and have not made the finals but the experience was exhilarating!"

JUNIOR VOCAL CATEGORY

TERESA TORRES
Age 11
Heritage: Costa Rica
"I hope someone discovers me . . . dedicate my performance to my dad for the long hours of music, running me around, teaching me to be bilingual in music and voice. He has high hopes for me. My school says I was born to perform. I want to keep them smiling."

SASH MARIE TORO
Age 12
Heritage: Colombia
"My favorite television show is Dora the Explorer because I do the voice of Backpack"

ARYANA RODRIGUEZ
Age 11
Heritage: Puerto Rican
"My dream in life is be a worldwide singer. I dedicate my performance to my family who worked hard to help me achieve my goals and God for giving this special gift."

CRISTINA NUNEZ
Age 11
Heritage: Cuban/Colombian
"What worries me is getting nervous right before the finals and messing up. My dream in life is to become a professional dancer, actress and recording artist."

ADIEL JOSUE MELENDEZ
Age 12
Heritage: Puerto Rican
"My favorite performer is Marc Anthony because he inspires me and his songs give me a chance to show my vocal range."

PARRIS NICOLE
Age 10
Heritage: Dominican
"My dream is to sing and dance and make people happy by performing for them."