Local Luminaries to Judge Feb. 7 ‘Yorktown’s Got Talent’ Contest

An all-star lineup of prominent Yorktowners will judge an all-star lineup of performing Yorktowners at highly-anticipated fundraiser “Yorktown’s Got Talent.” The Feb. 7 variety show and contest, which will benefit local Cub Scouts, starts at 7 p.m. at Yorktown Stage. Admission is $20 a person. Go to YorktownStage.org and click “Buy Tickets” at top of home page. Click here to see the event's Facebook page.

Scheduled to judge the evening of entertainment are Yorktown Councilwoman Alice Roker, recording artist Jessica Lynn, Yorktown Police Chief Robert Noble, and a real-life judge, Yorktown Town Justice Gary J. Raniolo.

Joining them on stage as MC will be Bruce Apar, of the Harrison Apar Field of Dreams Foundation and Yorktown Chamber of Commerce board of directors.

The talent contest is awarding a $300 first prize in each of two age groups: 1) 16 and under; 2) 17 and older.

“No doubt Yorktown is dripping with talent,” said Chief Noble, who added he is “looking forward to some bold, innovative, fun and LEGAL displays of pure greatness on February 7!”

“I am extremely excited to work with my local community and inspire people to follow their dreams,” said hometown star Jessica Lynn, who travels the world sharing stages with the biggest names in country and rock music. “Anything is possible if you set your mind to it.”

Yorktown’s Got Talent is in no way affiliated with NBC-TV series America’s Got Talent.

Here are the contestants...

YOUTH CONTESTANTS(16 + under)

SOPHIA BUKHOVER
Sophia is eight years old and attends third grade at Mohansic elementary school.

LUCIA CARUCCI
Lucia is a ninth grader who has enjoyed theatre as an avid performer since age six.

ERISA McAULIFFE
Erisa is an eleven-year-old, solo-finger-style guitarist, harmonica player and singer.

MAEVE McELVANEY
Maeve is 14 years old and loves karate.

ZACHARY SUNAZ
Zachary is a fourth grade student at Crompond Elementary School.

THE PIE BROTHERS
Matt Hullstrung (18), Robert Varga (17), Steven Fitzgerald (16) and Dan Mangiafridda (15) are students at Lakeland High School who perform as a saxophone quartet.

ETHAN XIAO
Ethan is a 13-year-old eighth grader at Mildred E. Strang Middle School.

ADULT CONTESTANTS(17 + over)

MEREDITH BROWN
Meredith has been singing and playing guitar since she was very young.

CAITLIN CUEVO
Caitlin is 27 years old and began hoop dancing in 2014, after discovering it at Mountain Jam Music Festival in Hunter, New York.

JOE CUNNINGHAM
Joe is a singer-songwriter, filmmaker, and location sound recordist. His and wife Emily’s daughter, Maeve, is a Cub Scout.

LEILA HUDSON
An 18-year-old senior at Yorktown High School, Leila has played the harp for 10 years.

CAROLINE & JOHN PATERNO
Caroline is site director at Country Children’s Center in Yorktown, and John is a graphic designer for Mavis Tire Corp. in Millwood.

MIKE RENDINE
Mike has served as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Patrick’s Church for more 18 years.