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KINGSTON — The goal of NEPA Sings was to lift up voices, but 12 young performers didn’t just do that — they positively brought the house down.

The annual singing competition was held for the second time Thursday evening, packing hundreds into Wyoming Seminary’s Kirby Center for the Creative Arts, all in the name of raising money for CASA of Luzerne County.

CASA, which stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates, aims to link foster children up with trained advocates who can be their rock through troublesome times.

Hosted by local media personality Dave Kuharchik, the finals of the competition saw 12 singers from Northeastern Pennsylvania belting out Broadway tunes, rock classics and even worship songs in the hopes of winning the top prize: an opportunity to record a demo through Republic Records, an imprint of Universal Music Group that’s the home label of some of the biggest names in pop music right now.

Judging the singers were Amanda Greene of 98.5 KRZ, Doc Medek of Froggy 101, Leighann Burke, lead singer of local band M80, and Lorenzo Medico, who is also on the competition’s committee.

Before the competition, Medico talked about how important CASA is to the children of Luzerne County who need that help.

“This night is all about the kids,” Medico said.

Burke agreed, saying, “When I read about it, I knew I had to support it.”

The singing judge

In the middle of the evening, audience members were treated to a performance by Luzerne County Judge Jennifer Rogers, who was being honored as CASA’s Champion of Children Award recipient.

Rogers, who acts as the head of Luzerne County’s family court, delivered a truly impressive rendition of Lee Ann Womack’s “Something Worth Leaving Behind,” but not until after talking about how honored she was to receive the award.

“This award is saying ‘thank you’ for doing my job,” Rogers said. “You have empowered me tonight.”

After all the singers performed, it was time to crown a winner. In second place came Marina Rinkunas, a 16-year-old from Clarks Summit, whose big voice took over the room as she performed “Astonishing” from “Little Women.” Rinkunas won a $500 gift card to Guitar Center stores, and after her performance, Kuharchik joked that it’s only fitting that she made it to the stage — Rinkunas tried out for last year’s NEPA Sings, but couldn’t participate as she was a year too young.

Talia’s time

The night’s big winner, though, was 21-year-old Talia Johnson, a young woman from Nazareth who’s studying at King’s College. Johnson was the night’s final performer, absolutely nailing her performance of Whitney Houston’s version of “I Will Always Love You” — yes, she even hit those notes at the end.

After her performance, Johnson called Houston her idol and inspiration, adding that she was drawn to the power of singers like Houston and Aretha Franklin while supporting her mother during her struggle with cancer.

Once the winners were announced, Johnson was allowed to sing one final song. Naturally, she picked another Houston song, this time “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.”

But it wasn’t all just for fun — while thanking the audience for coming, Kuharchik said this year’s NEPA Sings was even bigger than last year’s, raising more than $20,000 for CASA.

Talia Johnson, 21, of Nazareth and a student at King’s College, reacts after being named the winner of NEPA Sings at the Kirby Center for the Creative Arts on the Wyoming Seminary campus in Kingston on Thursday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_TTL041219NEPAsings_1-2.jpg.optimal.jpgTalia Johnson, 21, of Nazareth and a student at King’s College, reacts after being named the winner of NEPA Sings at the Kirby Center for the Creative Arts on the Wyoming Seminary campus in Kingston on Thursday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

King’s College student Talia Johnson, 21, of Nazareth, sings ‘I Will Always Love You’ by Whitney Houston at the Kirby Center for the Creative Arts on the Wyoming Seminary campus in Kingston on Thursday. Johnson won the competition.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_TTL041219NEPAsings_2-2.jpg.optimal.jpgKing’s College student Talia Johnson, 21, of Nazareth, sings ‘I Will Always Love You’ by Whitney Houston at the Kirby Center for the Creative Arts on the Wyoming Seminary campus in Kingston on Thursday. Johnson won the competition. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Marina Rinkunas, 16, of Clarks Summit, performs during NEPA Sings at the Kirby Center for the Creative Arts on the Wyoming Seminary campus in Kingston on Thursday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_TTL041219NEPAsings_3-2.jpg.optimal.jpgMarina Rinkunas, 16, of Clarks Summit, performs during NEPA Sings at the Kirby Center for the Creative Arts on the Wyoming Seminary campus in Kingston on Thursday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Emcee Dave Kuharchik of WBRE-TV introduces judges Lorenzo Medico, creative director at Medico Industries, Amanda Greene of 98.5 KRZ, Leighann Burke of the band M80, and Doc Medek of Froggy 101 during NEPA Sings on Thursday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_TTL041219NEPAsings_5-2.jpg.optimal.jpgEmcee Dave Kuharchik of WBRE-TV introduces judges Lorenzo Medico, creative director at Medico Industries, Amanda Greene of 98.5 KRZ, Leighann Burke of the band M80, and Doc Medek of Froggy 101 during NEPA Sings on Thursday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

NEPA Sings champion Talia Johnson, center, is joined by the eleven other finalists as she sings ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)’ by Whitney Houston in the finale at the Kirby Center for the Creative Arts on the Wyoming Seminary campus in Kingston on Thursday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_TTL041219NEPAsings_4-2.jpg.optimal.jpgNEPA Sings champion Talia Johnson, center, is joined by the eleven other finalists as she sings ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)’ by Whitney Houston in the finale at the Kirby Center for the Creative Arts on the Wyoming Seminary campus in Kingston on Thursday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader
Event raises thousands for CASA

By Patrick Kernan

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Reach Patrick Kernan at 570-991-6386 or on Twitter @PatKernan