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Schools

Arts & Idols Gala Rocks for UCS Students

More than 700 guests watch as Alicia Infantino takes the top prize for her musical performance and graduating seniors receive scholarships at the third annual Utica Community Schools event.

Eleven idols rocked the Palazzo Grande Thursday night as part of the third annual Utica Community Schools Foundation for Educational Excellence and there were two clear winners of the night.

Alicia Infantino stole the musical portion of the show with her beautiful and heartfelt performance of Whitney Houston's rendition of "I Will Always Love You."  Infantino hit every note in the dramatic song and received a standing ovation from the crowd of more than 700 attendees.  Not only did Infantino win the $5,000 prize, she was also named the Audience Favorite, as voted on by the attendees.

"I'm completely overwhelmed and shocked," said Infantino.  "There were so many incredible competitors this year.  I feel so very privileged and I'm just in awe right now."

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The second winner of the night and the reason for the event are the UCS students that will receive scholarships from the Superintendent's Scholarship Fund next year.  This year, the UCS Foundation for Educational Excellence was proud to announce the award of 17 scholarships to seniors graduating from Utica, Eisenhower, Stevenson and Ford.  Each scholarship totaled $1,000.

"The purpose of this event is to raise scholarships for young men and women in the school district," UCS Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christine M. Johns said.  "During the past two years, $30,000 has been raised and all of those dollars have been awarded to seniors in the Utica Community Schools.  To be eligible, students had to submit an application with their academics as well as their contributions to the community and other activities that they have been involved in.  All of the recipients are extremely accomplished young people and some have very wonderful personal stories on how they overcame adversity."

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The scholarship recipients and their families were on hand to enjoy the night's celebration and were appreciative of the foundation.

"I feel very honored tonight," said Doneisha Parker, a Stevenson High School senior and scholarship recipient.  "To be one of the 17 students that Dr. Johns chose is a really big honor to me."

"I'm very honored and appreciative for the scholarship," said Stephanie Jacks, a Utica High School senior and scholarship recipient.  "Being recognized for all of the effort that I've put into school and doing a good job is great.  I'm planning to study nursing at Oakland University and this scholarship will help."  

Celebrity judges in the house were WJR radio host and voice of University of Michigan football Frank Beckmann, radio personalities Big Al and Jackie Purtan, former Detroit Tiger Dave Rozema and Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson.  The judges were delightfully entertaining in their own right, offering American Idol comparisons, impersonations and periodic Detroit Red Wings game updates.

The night also included a celebration and showcase of K-12 student art that was available for purchase through live and silent auctions.  The UCS Fine Arts Program is dedicated to inspiring young minds, nourishing self-confidence and igniting the human spirit.

Placing second in the singing competition was Mallory Gardner, with Darla Welton as the second runner-up.

The evening concluded with the announcement of the winners, a cash prize raffle and the promise for an even more exciting and entertaining gala next year.

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