2009 NJN Hispanic Youth Showcase Winners

AND THE WINNERS FOR 2009 ARE:

KIDS’ DANCE CATEGORY (Ages 4 to 7)
Beatriz Rodriguez Scholarship Award

KIMBERLY OTAYZA   Age 7   Kearny, NJ   Heritage: Puerto Rico/Peru
“My performance is dedicated to my grandparents.”

WALTER VILLA   Age 7   Ridgewood, New York  Heritage: Peru
“I want to be a champion on NJN and become a professional dancer”

TEEN GROUP DANCE CATEGORY  (Ages 13 to 17)
Rita Moreno Schalorship Award                 

PASSAIC COUNTY TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, Passaic, NJ
Modern Dance “Company Store”

JUNIOR INSTRUMENTAL CATEGORY  (Ages 8 to 12)
Tito Puente Scholarship Award

MICHAEL JOHN SANTANA  Age 12  Elizabeth, NJ Heritage: Cuba
“My mom’s piano students have participated and won. I am proud to do the same.”

MATHEW VERYCKEN   Age 8 Bogota, New Jersey  Heritage: Cuba
“When I grow, maybe I can be President of the United States.”

DUO/TRIO DANCE  CATEGORY (Ages 13 to 17)
Cuban Pete Scholarship Award                      

ZUANNETTE SERRANO    Age 15  Elizabeth, NJ   Heritage: Puerto Rico
& KAYLA TORRES   Age 15   Passaic, NJ    Heritage: Puerto Rico
Performed an Afro-Cuban dance tribute

JUNIOR VOCALS CATEGORY  (Ages 8 to 12)
Celia Cruz Scholarship Award

THAMYRUS ALMEIDA   Age 12, Newark, NJ  Heritage: Brazil
“The Showcase is my next step into following my dream.”

DANIELA GARCIA   Age 7, North Bergen, NJ Heritage: Spain & Colombia
 “I dedicated my performance to mom and dad.”

TEEN DANCE CATEGORY  (Ages 13 to 17)
Beatriz Rodriguez Scholarship Award

MICHELLE GONZALEZ    Age 16 West New York, NJ  Heritage: Dominican Republic
“I want to be successful and live a happy and healthy life.’

DIANA OSORIO  Age 17  Belleville, NJ  Heritage: Colombian / Puerto Rican
“My dream is to fine true happiness and teach children dance and its history.”

TEEN VOCALS CATEGORY (Ages 13 to 17)
Celia Cruz Scholarship Award

LORENA AGUILAR  Age 16 Philadelphia, Penn.  Heritage: Costa Rica/Puerto Rico
“I dedicate my performance to my family and friends who motivate me to sing.”

JUSTIN BARROSO Age 13 Cliffside Park, NJ   Heritage: Cuba/Puerto Rico
“I want to be as successful as I can be”
                                             
JUNIOR DANCE CATEGORY   (Ages 8 to 12)
Beatriz Rodriguez Scholarship Award                      

JAELA GARCIA     Age 9   West New York, NJ    Heritage: Honduras
“I want to dance all over the world.”

KAYLA ORTIZ    Age 9   West New York, NJ   Heritage: Domincan Republic/ Puerto Rico
“I want to become a professional dancer.”

NOELIA OTAYZA   Age 11   Kearny, NJ   Heritage: Peru / Puerto Rico
“Winning this Showcase is a special gift.”

TEEN INSTRUMENTAL CATEGORY  (Ages 13 to 17)
Tito Puente Scholarship Award

REBECCA RABELO Age 14 Glen Rock, NJ Heritage: Cuba / Puerto Rico
“I want my hared work to be recognized.”

BRANDON SEGOVIA  Age 16  Brookfield, Illinois   Heritage: Puerto Rico
“I want to share my passion and talent and hopefully impact people in a positive way”

JUNIOR DANCE PARTNER CATEGORY  (Ages  8 to 12)
Cuban Pete Scholarship Award                      

SAMANTHA CALDERON   Age 11  Paterson, NJ  Heritage: Peru
& JOVAN POGGI  Age 11  West Paterson, NJ   Heritage: Peru

The NJN Hispanic Youth Showcase 2009 is made possible by the following Sponsors:

Public Service Electric & Gas
The New Jersey State Council on the Arts
Goya Foods, Inc.
New Jersey Performing Arts Center
Six Flags Great Adventure