American Kids Inc. names 2008 National Finals winners

BRANSON, Mo. — Jocelyn Pullin, 13, of Edmond, Okla., was the top winner in the non-profit American Kids Inc. 2008 National Finals membership talent competition in Branson, Mo. The recent five days of competition included 111 kids from eight states presenting 214 acts.

Pullin danced to In Better Hands and was named Performer of the Year to win a $1,000 cash prize and a $2,000 recording session from Rockabilly Recording Company of Branson. In addition winners in 24 categories were awarded more than $7,000 in cash prizes, trophies and medals along with two college scholarships, American Kids Member of the Year and the top 25 acts that competed for the AllStar honor. Young performers from Illinois, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas and Missouri took home top honors.

Newton Hippolyte, 17, Carencro, La., was the recipient of the third annual Carolyn Snow Memorial $1,000 College Scholarship presented by the organization’s founder Dr. Dale Smith in memory of his late wife. Snow served as executive director until her death in 2005 following a short battle with cancer. Also making the presentation was Snow’s daughter, Claire Bolen of Tulsa.

Christopher Wilson, 17, of Oklahoma City received the Taco Mayo $1,000 College Scholarship. Taco Mayo Restaurant’s co-founder Randy Earhart of Oklahoma City serves as a board member and is a former chairman of the board of American Kids Inc.

Division Winners

In gospel vocal solo Christopher Wilson, 17, of Oklahoma City took first place with Broken Pieces and Katelyn Stelly, 14, of New Iberia, La., was awarded runner-up with No Orphans of God.

The first place musical theatre solo award went to Brittany Morvant, 16, Lafayette, La., with Amazing Mayzie and runner-up to William Grassle, 16, Rogers, Ark., with Tonight at Eight.

Popular vocal solo winner was Koryn Hawthorne, 10, Abbeville, La., with Impossible and Colton Shaver, 13, Monticello, Ark., with Mustang Sally took runner-up.

Country vocal solo first place award went to Carrigan Bradley, 9, Fort Gibson, Okla., with 9 to 5 and Katelyn Stelly, 14, of New Iberia, La., placed first runner-up with I Wonder.

With a tie, serious vocal solo first place winners were Newton Hippolyte, 17, Carencro, La., with Wonderful Tonight and Brittany Morvant, 16, Lafayette, La., with If I Can Dream. Katelyn Stelly, 14, of New Iberia, La., with I Have Nothing placed runner-up.

Dance solo first place went to Jocelyn Pullin, 13, of Edmond, Okla., with In Better Hands.

Specialty act solo division first place went to Christopher Wilson, 17, of Oklahoma City with a piano solo, Hallelujah Chorus. Runner-up was Timothy Anders, 14, of Collinsworth, Ill., with a juggling act to Made to Love.

In gospel vocal group division Brittany and Lindsay, Brittany Morvant, 16, Lafayette, La., and Lindsay Mendez, 12, Marrero, La., placed first with When You Believe. Runner-up went to Brittany and Kevin, Brittany Morvant, 16, Lafayette, La., and Kevin Bental, 17, Marrero, La., with The Prayer.

The first place musical theatre group division award went to A&M Girls with Sisters. Members are Madison Metcalf, 12, Jenks, Okla., and Alaska Holloway, 13, Broken Arrow, Okla. Dream Girls singing Dream Girls earned runner-up. Members are Dominique Hawthorne, 13, and Zion Chisolm, 18, of Abbeville, La., and Irie Hillard, 15, of Delcambre, La.

Country vocal group division first place award went to Kickin’ Cowgirls with Walkin’ After Midnight. Members are Carrigan Bradley, 9, Fort Gibson, Okla., Madison Metcalf, 12, Jenks, Okla., and Alaska Holloway, 13, of Broken Arrow, Okla.

Dance group division first place went to Rhythm’s Dance Company performing Shawty Get Loose. Members are Caitlynn Dupre, 12, Chasidi Caballero, 17, Roxy Comardelle, 12, and Kaitlin Comardelle, 15, of Westwego, La.; Brittany Ratke, 15, of Bridge City, La.; Rebecca Lombas, 12, and Kinni Farve, 14, of Marrero, La., and Alexsa Morgan, 12, of Harvey, La. Runner-up was presented to Fab 5 performing Rocky Top. Members are Rachel Yost, 8, Omega Okla., and Tori Roser, 9, Riley Schenk, 9, Autumn Jones, 10, and Rachel Longnecker, 10, of Watonga, Okla.

Specialty act group division first place went to Lindsay and Newton performing One Last Cry with Lindsay Mendez, 12, Marrero, La., and Newton Hippolyte, 17, Carencro, La. Runner-up was The Ultimate Band with Eye of the Tiger. Members are Megan Wilson, 9, Oklahoma City, Adam Duran, 11, Choctaw, Okla., and Jordan Pullin, 11, and Jacob Pullin, 12, of Edmond, Okla.

Serious vocal group division first place went to Jenni Lyn and Philip performing All the Way with members Jenni Lyn Robin, 17, New Iberia, La., and Phillip Fisher, 17, Carencro, La. Runner-up was Sons of the Morning Star with Who Am I. Members are Daniel Fair, 16, and Nathaniel Fair, 17, of Rogers Ark.

The 2008 Oklahoma Kids Member of the Year Connie Sparks, 15, of Okmulgee, Okla., was named 2008 American Kids Inc. Member of the Year. The honor is based not only on talent capabilities, but also on community service, grade point averages and willingness to share their God given talents in helping to lift others. Sparks won a plaque and a 2009 competition scholarship.

In her essay she wrote about performing in nursing homes. “American Kids teaches us to love all people…I love working with the younger people and I like talking with the older people…People who join get to see all kinds of lifestyles. American Kids teaches us to love people for who they are, not what they look like or what they talk like. None of that matters. This program brings together kids from all different backgrounds. We learn to love all people.” She credited the program, “American Kids has helped me come out of my social shell…has been my confidence booster” is a “miracle of a program” that “has helped me to live life to the fullest” and “is my second family.”

Nominees came from the states that are fully developed in American Kids. The 2008 state members of the year are Nathaniel Fair, 16, Rogers, Ark.; Dianne Jones, 17, Palestine, Texas; Laura Miles, 12, Branson, Mo.; and Brittany Morvant, 16, Lafayette, La.

In addition to Jocelyn Pullin, performers in the top 25 AllStar Show included Christopher Wilson, 17, Oklahoma City; Carrigan Bradley, 9, Fort Gibson, Okla.; Madison Metcalf, 12, Jenks, Okla., Alaska Holloway, 13, Broken Arrow, Okla.; Jennifer Robin, 17, and Katelyn Stelly, 14, of New Iberia, La.; Brittany Morvant, 16, Lafayette, La.; Kevin Bental, 17, and Lindsay Mendez, 12, Marrero, La.; Newton Hippolyte, 17, Carencro, La.; Koryn Hawthorne, 10, Abbeville, La.; Christy Mohrman, 14, Nixa, Mo.; William Grassle, 16, Ammarie Grassle, 13, and Daniel Fair, 16, of Rogers Ark.; Colton Shaver, 13, Monticello, Ark.; Keri Spivey, 8, Palestine, Texas; and Morgankate Trammell, 11, Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Young performers traveled from Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Illinois, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas and across Missouri for Nationals, according to Brenda Hoffstatter, national office manager. A panel of distinguished judges from the entertainment industry critiqued the young performers and selected the winners. American Kids is different from other competitions in the performance opportunities given the group’s membership outside of the competition. The organization is open to all youth from ages 3 through high school seniors, alumni, their parents and supporters.

American Kids began 26 years ago as Oklahoma Kids and has its headquarters in Branson, Mo. Young people join American Kids just like adults join a civic club. In the program, they find a peer group all involved in making a difference in the world by using the performing arts as the vehicle. In addition to the membership competition, shows range from fairs, festivals and theme parks on a national and international scale to the touring cast of Raising America, a patriotic musical.

“We promise exposure, growth, character development and opportunity. Because of the experience gained from being on stage, our members are better prepared for whatever they choose to do in life,” said Smith. “Fame and fortune are not promised, but personal development is.”

For more information about American Kids Inc. call 417-337-8964 or go to www.americankids.com.