By Felix Hoover

For YourNewsColumbus.com

Posted 06-12-09

 

A poet won the first-ever Be a Star! Teen Showcase, but Franklin County Children Services hopes many ultimate winners have yet to be decided.

 

Shameaca Moore, who will begin her senior year at Eastmoor Academy this fall, won a laptop computer and $380 for besting the field of 17 finalists in the talent competition held Thursday night, June 11, at East High School.

 

"I really need this computer," she said. "I want to use it to write my first novel."

 

Her ministerial delivery of "Have You Forgotten the Message" drew a rousing response from the crowd as well as the judges.

 

Elliot Bingham worked some Michael Jackson like moves into his vocal performance to win second place and $250. He will be a senior at Walnut Ridge High School in the fall.

 

Auditions at Southside Settlement House and St. Stephen's Community Center yielded the finalists who put on the program at East, part of Children Services' effort to recruit foster and adoptive parents and volunteers. A successful campaign would mean that children, families and the community would all be winners.

 

Emcees Candace Lee, weekend anchor at NBC4, and City, of Power 107.5, kept things lively between acts. Right before the winners were announced, Joetta Polk, communications specialist at Children Services, sang What About the Children.

 

The other finalists were: Meshack Land, vocalist; Misha Hemphill, vocalist; Nila Richards, flutist; Marliese Hunter, vocalist; Alexis Pannell, vocalist; Patrick Jones, mime; Egypt Land, vocalist; Dasan Williams, vocalist; Jamil Wilson, pianist; Gamma Psi Phi, step team; Danielle Chambers, vocalist; Josh Woodard, comedian; Cara Carey, vocalist; Austin Coats, acrobatic dancer; and Demeeshia Marshall, vocalist.