Lands Role on All My Children

STATEWIDE – Eleven-year-old Aryana Rodriguez from Burlington Township, a winner of the 2003 NJN Hispanic Youth Showcase, recently landed a part on the soap opera All My Children. “This talented young lady dreams of becoming a television host or reporter,” states Willie Sanchez, the executive producer of the Hispanic Youth Showcase. On the show, Rodriguez plays Maddie Grey, the daughter of Maria Santos and Edmund Grey. She has already taped two episodes that will air on Friday, November 5, and Tuesday, November 9, at 1 pm on ABC and 8 pm on the Soap Net (cable).

The NJN Hispanic Youth Showcase is an annual competition that provides young performers ages four through seventeen the chance to perform and compete. The Showcase is an Emmy Award-winning program broadcast on NJN Public Television and a recipient of multiple Emmy nominations. The annual competition often helps lead the performers to other successes.

According to Sanchez, the performers have seen many successes, “The kids are doing great. Junior vocalist Edward Perry performed at the Miss America Parade in Atlantic City and is up for a major role on a new national television show. Luis Figueroa, also a junior vocalist and three-time winner of Star Search, has been offered a major management deal. Instrumental champion Christian Veliz is back in Hollywood for another movie role while teen vocal champion Allison Trujillo Strong has been selected Best Young Actress for performances in productions such as Carmen at Lincoln Center.”

“NJN is proud of the accomplishments of Aryana Rodriguez and all of the children who participate in the Showcase as if they were our own children” remarks Elizabeth Christopherson, executive director of NJN Public Television and Radio, “and we are honored to encourage their creative journeys. At NJN, we see the future in our children and recognize the critical role we all play as parents, guardians and mentors, in making sure the future is the best it can be. In Willie Sanchez, the performers have a dedicated and determined mentor – guiding them and cheering for them.”

Willie Sanchez is the executive producer of Images/Imagenes, an NJN program that examines issues of interest to New Jersey’s Hispanic population. Now entering its 32nd season, Images/Imagenes is working on a line-up of fall programs that deal with voting and elections, civil rights, job success and consumer affairs as well as dance and music. Images/Imagenes can be seen on Thursdays at 6:30 pm and Sundays at 8 am, and is web streamed and archived at www.njn.net.