Winning Students Named in Music Contest

COURT HOUSE – Four students from three high schools in Cape May County have won prizes in a vocal and instrumental talent contest at the Middle Township Performing Arts Center.  In addition to the stage talent contest, an essay contest designed to stress the importance of music in people’s lives was offered.
The program, called “Jersey Shore’s Got Talent,” was presented by “The Parkway Players”, the Middle Township High School drama students.  The contest’s judges were pianist Linda Gentille, who created the Jersey Shore Pops Orchestra, Fran Puglia, who appeared on Broadway in “Annie,” and Lisa Paulus, a stage vocalist for many years. 
The top winner of the contest was Anika Buchanan, a Middle Township High School student whose vocal offering of “Moonfall” from The Mystery of Edwin Drood, earned a prize of $500, four tickets to a Pops concert and an opportunity to  perform with the Jersey Shore Pops.  Second and third prizes, respectively, in the music segment went to Fred Spiewak, a student at Wildwood Catholic High School, and to Middle’s Conner Wynn.   Both received a cash prize along with the opportunity to enjoy a Jersey Shore Pops concert.
North Cape May’s Amanda Chiaro, who attends Lower Cape May Regional High School, took first prize of a $100 in the essay divison of the contest.  Her essay informed readers of how music helped her overcome adversity.
This event was chaired by Jacklyn Buckingham, a MTHS graduate and current member of the school’s music faculty.