Special Talents America reached for the stars – talented children and adults who love to perform and who happen to have disabilities – and those stars were  shining at Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center on November 5. Participating in a four-state talent competition, these inspiring performers were joined by celebrity guests during the event.

All 14 participants in the Special Talents America competition received an enormous round of applause after a well-received showcase of live entertainment.

PN is happy to present the three top winners…

1st place – Breanna Bogucki – She sang a captivating rendition of Taylor Swift’s “Mean.”  Bogucki is from Cary, Illinois.

2nd place – Christina Honeywell – She sang “I dreamed a dream” from Les Miserables.  Honeywell  is from Vernon Hills, Illinois.

3rd place – Mia Strayer – She played “The Prayer” on the harp. Strayer is from Cherry Valley, Illinois.

The  contestants featured young adults from Illinois, Indiana and Michigan who performed a singing, light saber dancing, harp and banjo playing.  They  competed in the final competition of Special Talents America to a nearly sold-out audience in Wentz Concert Hall on the campus of North Central College.

As a surprise award, announced at the end of the competition, the winner earned a professional recording session courtesy of Jim Peterik at this studio. Peterik is a Grammy Award-winning songwriter, performer and record producer.

For more information about future performances, visit www.specialtalents.org.

 Photos courtesy of Gene Steinman.