Auditions were held Friday night for the 6th Annual Union’s Got Talent after which 16 finalists have been selected to move on to the final competition on Saturday, October 6th, 2018 at 7:00pm at Union High School.
The event is presented by the Township of Union, the Douglas Michael Krueger Scholarship Fund (DMK), Union High School Performing Arts Company (UHSPAC), the Township of Union Cultural Arts Board, and Investors Bank.
Finalist compete to win a $1000 grand prize courtesy of Investors Bank. Cash prizes will also be offered for second place, youth award, and people’s choice.
At the door, tickets will be sold for $10 cash or $12 with a credit card purchase. They will also be available online at www.unionsgottalent.com for $12.
This year’s finalists are:
Shiloh Whitaker Pickitt (6th Grade Kawameeh Middle School)
Brooke Dubon (7th Grade Burnet Middle School)
Kimberly Moreira (8th Grade Kawameeh Middle School)
Matthew da Cunha (Kean University)
Alexa Masaoy (6th Grade Burnet Middle School)
Maria Masaoy (Resident of Union)
Jahmid Stewart (5th Grade Jefferson School)
Jinky Abalos (Resident of Union)
Jilian Reyes (Kean University)
Mikayla Chioco (1st Grade Hannah Caldwell)
Bob Kalkus (Resident of Union)
Gregory Senesca (9th Grade Union High School)
Theophilus Awosola (12th Grade Union High School)
Yoselyn Mazariego (5th Grade Jefferson School)
Ololude (Lolly) Falae (5th Grade Jefferson School)
Rita Maria Conforti (9th Grade Union High School)
All proceeds raised from the event benefit the UHSPAC and DMK two organizations who give back to the students of Union Township through scholarships and arts education.
The Douglas Michael Krueger Scholarship Fund was created in loving memory of Union High School class of 1999 alumni Douglas Krueger who lost his life in a tragic accident in 2004. Krueger was a staple of the Union High School Performing Arts Company, Student Council President and State Student Council Treasurer. After graduation from Wagner College, Krueger went on to become an Associate Producer for MTV in New York City.
In his memory, Krueger’s mother, Marie Krueger Canarelli, and her family have been raising money for scholarships awarded every year to students of Union High School. In addition, scholarships are also awarded at Wagner College and at the Paper Mill Playhouse.
The Union High School Performing Arts Company remains one of the strongest arts training programs for theater students in New Jersey. The UHSPAC has been nominated for over 126 prestigious Paper Mill Rising Star Awards, an event that recognizes excellence in High School Theater. They have won 31 awards and currently hold the record for most wins ever by a single show for their 2015 production of Sophisticated Ladies. Each year the UHSPAC produces two main stage musicals.
“The Douglas Michael Krueger Scholarship Fund is very happy to partner once again with the UHSPAC for Union’s Got Talent,” said Marie Krueger-Canarelli. “We are appreciative of the community and the Township’s support that we receive. This generosity enables both organizations to provide cultural arts education to the students of Union Township.”
Tickets can be purchased by visiting, www.unionsgottalent.com. For additional information, please follow the Township of Union on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @TwpUnionNJ.