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Northern Connection Magazine. . .
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Left to right: Rosemary Garrity, “Josh,” Diana Napper; Marion Piotrowski, “Frank,” Laura Piotrowski; Napper, “Jeffrey,” Garrity; and Laura, “Reva,” Marion |
Frank Dicopoulos, who plays Frank Cooper on the soap, made this possible. Frank, who still has family ties in the Pittsburgh area, brought his co-stars to Pittsburgh to help raise awareness about breast cancer. “My grandmother had breast cancer and my mother-in-law had breast cancer, and this is a disease that I want to eradicate,” Dicopoulos said. “It’s taken too many good people.”
He met Lisa Edmonds, the executive director of The Young Women’s Breast Cancer Foundation at a charity event and decided to support her cause. “The actors really supported our goal and the foundation and stepped up to the plate more than we could have imagined,” Edmonds said. This foundation has a goal to educate as many women as possible about breast cancer and the importance of early detection. When the foundation sponsors events, the funds that are raised are donated to the Reach to Recovery program offered by the American Cancer Society. This program matches survivors with women who have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. The survivors can offer these women the kind of support that they need because they truly understand what these women are experiencing.
For more information call 412-490-9808.
October 2005 Northern Connection
A Bid for Hope 2005
Northern
Connection Magazine’s October cover and cover story highlighted
the Glimmer of Hope Foundation, which focuses on acquiring money for breast cancer
research. The Bid for Hope is one of the foundation’s major fundraisers.
This year’s event was held Oct. 17th at Bossa Nova restaurant in Pittsburgh.
Northern Connection Magazine was proud to be a part of this successful gala. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Diana Napper, founder of Glimmer of Hope Foundation, Pittsburgh Steeler Alan Faneca and his wife Julie, this year’s event was a great success! Bid for Hope IV was a sell out with more than 500 tickets sold. The proceeds from this event support breast cancer research, moving us closer to the cure. “The generosity of everyone involved is overwhelming,” Napper said.
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| Glimmer of Hope founder Diana Napper with Northern Connection publisher Marion Piotrowski | Pittsburgh Steelers guard Alan
Faneca with Laura Piotrowski |
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| Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Hines Ward with Steve Piotrowski | Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Tommy Maddox with Marion Piotrowski |
St. Barnabas Charities’ Founder’s Day 2008
Hollywood legend Debbie Reynolds was honored with this year’s Hance Award at St. Barnabas Charities’ Founder’s Day 2008. The day-long celebration was held on April 24. Reynolds visited St. Barnabas Nursing Home, attended an exclusive fund-raising luncheon at The Washington Place and a fund-raising dinner and silent auction at the Omni William Penn Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh.
St. Barnabas Health System president and CEO William V. Day presented the award to Reynolds. The annual award honors a person of national renown who has made a significant impact on the lives of Americans.
The dinner was attended by nearly 400 guests and grossed $102,000. Proceeds from Founder’s Day 2008 benefit the St. Barnabas Free Care Fund.
June 2006 Northern Connection
2006 St. Barnabas Charitable Foundation Founder's Day Celebration
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Several members of the St. Barnabas Charities Founder’s Day committee met Newt Gingrich at a private reception. Theyare: (front row, left to right): committee co-chairman Bill Knox, Newt Gingrich, Bryce Billetdeaux, Marion Piotrowski. Back row, left to right: Bob Crnjarich, Jim Kling, David White, Charles Orr, Mia Compomizzi and Doug Stirling. |
Pictured above are John Curran, chairman of the St. Barnabas Health System Board of Trustees, Newt Gingrich, and William V. Day, president of St. Barnabas Health System. |
June 2005 Northern Connection
2005 St. Barnabas Charitable Foundation Founder's Day Celebration
Michael Reagan receives Hance Award
St. Barnabas Charitable Foundation held their Founder's Day celebration on May 5. The event featured Michael Reagan, eldest son of the late President Ronald Reagan, as the guest speaker and recipient of the Hance Award. Proceeds raised benefit the St. Barnabas Charitable Foundation's Free Care Fund.
Marion Piotrowski, Publisher of Northern Connection Magazine, served on the Founder's Day committee.
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<< Photo left: Back row, left to right: Doug Stirling, Karen Mickus,
Bryce Billetdeaux, Rich Kushner, Bob Crnjarich. Front row, left to right: Bill
Knox, Michael Reagan, Marion Piotrowski, Charles Orr. |
St. Barnabas Charitable Foundation held their Founder’s Day celebration on May 5. The event featured Michael Reagan, eldest son of the late President Ronald Reagan as the guest speaker and recipient of the Hance Award. Proceeds raised benefit the St. Barnabas Charitable Foundation’s Free Care Fund. |
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2009 Kean Idol Winners Crowned
Photo left: Jackie Evancho; Janice Palko, Executive Editor; James Roddey, Master of Ceremonies; Jessica Saenz & Deven Brunsell. Photo right: Alexandra Knapp and Katie Resosky
By Janice Lane Palko
Whatever they are teaching in the sixth grade, they should keep it up because each of the winners in this year’s Kean Idol Amateur Talent Contest is a student in that grade.
The talent finals were held on Sunday, March 29, and the “Dynamic Duo” of Alexandra Knapp and Katie Resosky captured both the Judges’ Choice Dance Award and the Audience Choice Dance Awards while Deven Brunsell won both the Judges’ Choice Vocal Award and the Audience Choice Vocal Award.
Knapp, 12, of Gibsonia, is a student at Eden Hall Upper Elementary School and is the daughter of Mark and Irna Knapp. Resosky, 12, of Mars, attends Mars Area Centennial School, and her parents are Jim and Linda Resosky. They performed a tap dance duet to “Footloose” that won over the 14 other dancers competing. Knapp and Resosky received the grand prize that included a portrait session with professional photographer Rick Armstrong, a certificate for Pittsburgh DancExplosion, a feature story in Northern Connection magazine and a trophy. Both girls have been dancing for quite a while, taking lessons at the Laura Lynn School of Dance.
When asked if they were nervous during the competition, Knapp said, “I wasn’t nervous. I was just having fun!” Resosky admits to a case of butterflies. “I was nervous, but I kept it in until they all went away,” Resosky said.
Brunsell, 11, of Brentwood, is a student at Brentwood Middle School. The son of Lance Brunsell and Renee Rozzi, Brunsell performed Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel.” He was selected from the group of 26 acts competing in the vocal finals, which had been winnowed down from a field of 142. As winner, Brunsell received the grand prize that includes studio time from Audible Images Recording Studio and copies of his own CD, a portrait session with photographer Rick Armstrong, a feature story in Northern Connection magazine and a trophy.
Brunsell has been singing since he was four and has not had professional training. He just watches music videos a few times, practicing the vocals and dance moves. When asked if he was nervous, he replied, “No, I don’t get nervous any more.” He plans to make entertaining his career.
Northern Connection magazine is the signature sponsor of The Kean Idol and wishes to congratulate this talented group of champions. The Kean Idol benefits the St. Barnabas Free Care Fund. DVDs of the competition are available for purchase by calling 724-444-5521. For more information, visit www.stbarnabashealthsystem.com.
September 2008 Northern Connection
Kean Idol Provides Big Break for Contestants
By Janice Lane Palko
Although Deborah Katz sang “Romance” at this year’s Kean Idol competition back in April, she, as well as the other winners, could have sang “This Could be the Start of Something Big” because the Kean Idol has turned out to be the catalyst to bigger and better things.
Katz, 20, of Pittsburgh has parlayed her win as the Greg Maggio Judges’ Choice Vocal Award winner into a scholarship to study opera at the prestigious Bel Canto University in Verona, Italy. “Performing in the Kean Idol Competition was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life,” Katz said. She will leave on October 1 and remain there for a year.
The duo of Annie Rosellini and Taylor Green danced away with the Greg Maggio Judges’ Choice Dance Award. Both are 16 and hale from Butler. “I totally enjoyed my experience as a contestant,” Rosellini said. “From registration through rehearsal, first round then final round competition, the people from St. Barnabas couldn’t have been nicer. I am encouraging all of my dance buddies to take the time to enter the competition next year. It really is a great opportunity to help raise monies for a very good cause while at the same time an opportunity to perform in front of new audiences and maybe getting some recognition.” Rosellini will participate in St. Barnabas Fashion Gala this October.
Although less than 10 years old, the dance team of Michael Caye, 8, and Josselyn Fester, 7, performed like veterans during the competition. Caye, the son of Amy and Dennis Caye and a third grader at Highcliff Elementary School, was not nervous during the competition at all. “I was really excited when we won,” Caye said. “Josselyn is very nice,” he said of his partner, “and I just want to keep dancing with her.”
Fester is a second grader at Ingomar Elementary School and is the daughter of Rob and Michele Fester. Michele owns Michele’s Dance Center and both winners study dance there and have been dancing together for a year.
“My family was very proud of me that I did a good job,” Josselyn said. “A lot of people saw us on television and said we did a good job.”
Katz encourages anyone considering entering the Kean Idol Competition to give it a try. “Follow your dreams,” she said.
Northern Connection Magazine is proud to sponsor the Kean Idol competition and congratulates all of the winners. Look for information on the 2009 competition after the first of the year.
May 2008 Northern Connection
Kean Idol Winners Announced
After weeks of competition, the winners of the 2008 Kean Idol Amateur Talent Contest were announced. On April 11, Alex Ammons, a 14-year-old from Shaler Twp. won the Kean Idol Audience Choice Vocal Award at the Kean Theatre. Winning the Greg Maggio Judges’ Choice Dance Award was Deborah Katz, 20, of Pittsburgh.
Ammons attends Shaler High School and is the son of Nancy and Richard Ammons. He sang “Fly Me to the Moon.” Katz is employed by Verizon and performed an operetta “Romance” and was accompanied on piano.
On March 30, the winners of the dance competition were announced. The duo of Michael Caye and Josselyn Fester (left) of Pittsburgh won the Audience Choice Dance Award, while Taylor Green and Annie Rosellini (right) of Butler won the Greg Maggio Judges’ Choice Dance Award.
Michael Caye, 8, is the son of Amy and Dennis Caye and is a second grader at Highcliff Elementary School. Josselyn Fester, 7, is the daughter of Michele and Rob Fester. She is a first grader at Ingomar Elementary School. They performed a tap number to “Great Balls of Fire.”
Taylor Green, 16, is the daughter of Alisa Green and Ralph McElhaney and is a tenth grader at Butler Intermediate High School. Annie Rosellini, 16, is the daughter of Lucy and Jaime Rosellini and is also a tenth grader at Butler Intermediate High School. They performed a contemporary number to “Color Blind” by Counting Crows.A total of 138 contestants competed in the 2008 Kean Idol.
Northern Connection magazine is a proud sponsor of The Kean Idol and wishes to congratulate all those who competed, especially this year’s winners!
Teen Takes Two Titles at Kean Idol
Madison
Georgi, a 14-year old from Hampton Township, achieved something no one
else has ever accomplished before. She captured both the favor of the judges
and the audience, winning two titles—the Audience Choice Vocal Award and
the Greg Maggio Judges Choice Vocal Award—at the 2007 Kean Idol Vocal and
Dance Contest at the Kean Theatre on Friday, March 30.
A ninth grader at Hampton High School, Georgi performed “Take My Hand” a song she composed as a fund-raiser for autism research. “It was so exciting and to win both awards was amazing,” Georgi said. “I tried to tell a story with my voice.”
The
grand prize included six hours of studio time from Audible Images Recording Studio,
a portrait session with professional photographer Rick Armstrong and a trophy.
The dance duo of Taylor Enos and Lizzie Pontiere won the Audience Choice Dance Award on Saturday, March 10, at the 2007 Kean Idol Vocal and Dance Contest at the Kean Theatre. The duo performed a tap routine to "Cool Jerk" to win the top honors. Enos, 10, is a student at Poff Elementary school and thoroughly enjoyed the competition. “It was so much fun, and I was really surprised to see my photo hanging in my school’s office,” Enos said.
Pontiere, who is also 10 and attends Marshall Elementary, said she received a lot of support from her friends. “So many kids at school told me they saw me on television,” Pontiere said.
Winning the Greg Maggio Judge's Choice Dance Award was Karly Schwab of Harmony. She performed a lyrical routine to "Crippled Bird."
The grand prize for the dance competition included a portrait session with professional photographer Ray Thompson, a 13" television, a gift certificate to "All That Jazz" dance wear, a gift certificate to Salon Vivace and a trophy.
The Kean Idol grossed $32,146 for the St. Barnabas Free Care Fund. Northern Connection magazine is a proud sponsor of The Kean Idol.
Kean Idol Showcases Local Talent
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Kean Idol winners with Northern Connection publisher Marion Piotrowski (second from left) are, from left: Rachel Miller, Elena Falgione, and Kathryn Knapp. |
An array of singers and dancers took center stage March 5, 12, 19 & 25 at the Kean Theatre in Gibsonia to showcase their talent and help raise money for the St. Barnabas Health System’s Free Care Fund.
This year’s annual Kean Idol competition netted more than $18,000 to help defer the health care cost of patients at St. Barnabas Nursing Home, Valencia Woods at St. Barnabas and the Arbors at St. Barnabas.
Elena Falgione, 11, of Shaler, hit a high note in her young singing career, capturing the title of Kean Idol, while Kathryn Knapp, 12, of Pine Township, walked away with the title for the dance competition. Click here for more about Elena and Kathryn.
Sarah Marince of Moon Township, was first-runner up in the singing competition and Rachel Miller of Oakdale, was second. Miller also received the Greg Maggio Award, named in honor of the late Greg Maggio, an avid supporter of St. Barnabas Charities. Natalie Schaefer of Gibsonia and Samantha Lerda of Wexford were the other top five finalists.
In addition to a trophy, the grand prize in the singing competition included six hours of studio time with Audible Images Recording Studios. Bob Logue, former KDKA radio personality, served as emcee of the event.
Lindsay McGivern of Hampton was awarded first runner-up in the dance competition and Christopher Marince of Moon Township was second runner-up. The other top six finalists were Sodda Pop Kid of Arnold, Christine Marty of Sarver, and Alex Toy of Freeport.
Grand prizes in the dance competition included a portrait session with noted photographer David Guthrie.
2006 Kean Idol Winners
Northern Connection magazine is proud to be be the signature sponsor for the Kean Idol. We congratulate all the winners and contestants on a job well done!
Kathryn Knapp
Dancing to the tune “Name in Lights” from the play “Boy from Oz,” Kathryn Knapp, 12, of Pine Township, stepped into first place as the winner of the Kean Idol dance competition, March 12, at the St. Barnabas Health System’s Kean Theatre in Gibsonia.
Competing
against all ages, including adults, Kathryn, a 6th grader at Pine Richland Middle
School, attributed her success to a good stage presence and “just having
fun.” “Everyone was good dancers,” Kathryn said. “I
just showed good emotions on my face and had a lot of fun knowing I was helping
out a good cause.”
Proceeds from the competition benefit the St. Barnabas Free Care Fund which provides free health care to many patients at the St. Barnabas Health System.
With the goal of becoming a professional dancer on Broadway, Kathryn has been taking dance lessons since she was 3-years old at the Laura Lynn School of Dance in Richland. Kathryn credits instructor Laura Cheryba, who choreographed her dance, for her successful first place performance.
The talented young dancer enjoys all types of dance, but favors jazz. To achieve success, a dancer must have “drive and focus,” said Kathryn, who practices two to four hours three times a week.
Lisa and Ron Knapp were confident that their daughter would perform well in the dance competition. “The other dancers were very good, but Kathryn just loves it and has a great stage presence,” Lisa said.
Wanting to follow in the footsteps of her older sister, Christina, 15, now an avid soccer player, Kathryn displayed a natural talent for dance at a young age. “She stood up above the crowd a little and starting competing and winning,” Lisa said.
The same day that she captured the title of Kean Idol, Kathryn won the gold medal dancing to “Name in Lights” at the Dance Educators of America competition. She also won “most contagious smile,” proving her point that being a successful dancer not only requires talent, focus and dedication, but a sense of having fun while doing it. s
Elena Falgione
Although she’s only 11-years old, Elena Falgione of Shaler is driven to succeed and is already on the road to achieving her dream of becoming a contestant on American Idol when she’s 16.
Competing
against 27-semi finalists of all ages, Elena, a fifth grader at Shaler Area Middle
School, was named the vocal winner of the Kean Idol talent contest held March
25 at St. Barnabas Health System’s Kean Theatre in Gibsonia.
“I think I could make it to the top 12 of American Idol,” said Elena, whose favorite current Idol contestants are Paris and Taylor.
Elena, a fan of show tunes from Broadway musicals, sang “Think of Me” from the Phantom of the Opera to win the title of Kean Idol. “I felt it was a really beautiful song,” Elena said.
Although she began taking singing lessons when she was 8-years old, the talented singer was still “surprised” that she won. “It was really cool to win the contest,” Elena said.
Elena’s parents, Lisa and Rick Falgione, knew their daughter could carry a tune from the time she was four-years old. “She was just a little actress and would constantly sing all over the house,” Lisa said. “The family has always supported her singing and everyone thought it was really awesome that she won the Kean Idol contest.”
Karen Cordaro, owner and director of the Act One Theater School in Shaler, has been instrumental in fine tuning Elena’s musical talent, Lisa said.
Under Cordaro’s direction, Elena has appeared in several Act One productions, including the role of Tinkerbelle in the presentation of “Peter Pan.” She was one of the children in the chorus in the Broadway production at Heinz Hall of “Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, and was one of the narrators for Act One’s presentation of the play in April.
Winning the Kean Idol title has opened the door for Elena to pursue her dream of performing in Broadway musicals and perhaps becoming an American Idol. Whether the talented pre-teen makes it to the stage of American Idol and past the caustic scrutiny of Simon Cowell, remains to be seen.
April 2005 Northern Connection
Gibsonia Teen Takes Home the Kean Idol!
Talent contest raises $7,197 for St. Banabas Free Care Fund
Submitted by St. Barnabas Charitable Foundation
Where else can you hear 60 of the area’s top vocalists gather together to belt out their best performances in a fundraising event to raise money for poor and needy nursing home patients? The Kean Theatre of course! The state-of the-art Kean Theatre at St. Barnabas was recently the host of the "Kean Idol" amateur singing competition. Proceeds benefited the St. Barnabas Charitable Foundation’s Free Care Fund, which in 2004 alone provided more than $5.76 million to St. Barnabas' poor and low income patients.
Maddie
Arnold (photo left), a 13-year-old from Gibsonia, was named the winner of the “Kean
Idol” amateur talent contest, March 12, at the Kean Theatre. She was among
60 contestants and 16 semi-finalists competing in the talent show. Arnold sang
an original song, “Step Off This Train” to win the top honors. She
was accompanied by her father, Michael Arnold, on guitar and by friend Emily
Benko on piano.
In addition to an amazing collection of singers, the contest, which spanned four weeks, also included local celebrities such as Kimberley Easton, WPXI reporter, Bob Logue, radio talk show host, Greg Maggio, owner of North Park Clubhouse and chairman of the Pennies for Patients campaign; and Dave Malarkey of WISR radio in Butler, served as emcees. Judges represented local talent and voice agencies, recording studios and performers. “We are happy to announce that thanks to the support of the contestants, their families, friends and everyone who volunteered the Kean Idol was a success raising $7,197 for the Free Care Fund,” said Debbie Panei, assistant director of development with St. Barnabas Charitable Foundation. “It was a fun way to raise much needed funding for our patients.”
The judges selected the top five finalists from each of the three preliminary rounds and the audience voted on the winner for each round. The competition included a diverse mix of singers each with their own style. The top five finalists selected by the judges were Sarah Wadding, 15, of Dayton, Pa.; Joseph Barron, 19, of Gibsonia, a freshman at Oberlin Conservatory; Jessica Ranalli, 25, of Cranberry Twp.; Rachel Piciacchio, 10, of Wexford; and Arnold, who was also named the winner of round two.
The audience members voted among the five finalists choosing Arnold as the Kean Idol, Ranalli as first runner-up and Barron as second runner-up.
Marion
Piotrowski, publisher of Northern Connection magazine and sponsor of
the Kean Idol, presented the prizes, which included the grand prize of six hours
of studio time with Audible Images, an audition to sing the national anthem at
the June 12th Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game, a portrait session with photographer
Rick Armstrong and a feature story in Northern Connection magazine.
In addition to a trophy, the first and second-runners up received professional
portrait sessions, a karaoke machine and tickets to the Pittsburgh Symphony.
Photo, left to right: Piotrowski, Jessica Ranalli, Maddie Arnold and Joseph Barron.
Additional semi-finalists competing in the championship round were Heather Dymkoski, 16, of Sarver; Natalie Gornick, 16, of Gibsonia; Brandi Painter, 14, of Shaler Township; Shelly Brunotts, 36, of Mars; Courtney Shaffer, 8, of Valencia; Ed Pokusa, 48, of New Kensington; Greta Shepardson, 15, of McMurray; Amanda Livingston, 21, of Cranberry Township; Larry Coles, 55, of McKeesport; Madeleine O’Neil, 10, of Wexford; and Cassandra Vandebord, 14, of Conway, Pa.
For information on the Kean Theatre and upcoming events, call the box office at (724) 444-KEAN (5326) or visit www.keantheatre.com. Multiple ticket and group discounts available.
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