WATERVILLE — To kick off its annual appeal, the Boys and Girls Clubs and YMCA of Greater Waterville at the Alfond Youth Center are producing a youth driven talent show extravaganz, American Idol Comes to Waterville. The show begins at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 25, at the Waterville Opera House, according to a news release from the youth center.

Kim Fleming, this year’s event development director, said “We really wanted to focus on the successes and gifts of our amazing youth by giving them a platform to show off their talents,” according to the release.

The center held two days of competitive auditions from which they chose 19 youth to highlight. Ten acts will feature singers, dancers, actors, karate kata and musicians, and they include: Owen Kennedy, 10, and Joshua Rosenthal, 12; Rachel Fullmer, 13; Julia Badaraco, 17; Logan Bolduc, 14, Mallory Sheridan, 14, and Michaela Bisson, 14; Ian Mawell, 11; Walter Fegel, 11, and Zachary Wentworth, 10; Skyler Chipman, 13; Emma Jones, 14; William McPherson, 13; and Annika Carey, 14.

Special guest, 2014 American Idol finalist Alex Preston, will emcee the evening and perform throughout the event.

Preston will be assisted with introductions by three youth presenters, 8-year-old Neveah Mason, 11-year-old Michael Lugo and 12-year-old Breanna Dube, and youth stage manager, with 11-year-old Emma Lavenson, who will keep everyone on track.

The show will be preceded by a VIP Cocktail Party for Leadership Donors of $1,000 and above. Adan Lawlor, a 15-year-old composer, will provide music for the party on his guitar. The party will honor this year’s Boys & Girls Clubs Youth of the Year: Liz Larson, Zoe Perkins and Micah Weatherford, as well as the club’s Hall of Fame inductees: Bill Alfond, Ladd Foundation, Prin Mitchell — in memoriam, and the founders of the Waterville Area Girls Club. In addition, the Basil Hanscom Fellowship will be awarded to AYC interns Justin Meader and Joseph Doughty and five Club Leadership Ambassadors will receive After School Program scholarships from the George J. Mitchell Youth Leadership Fund established by Barbara Atkins.

Tickets Cost $20 for adults, $10 for youth and seniors, and are available through the Waterville Opera House box office.

All proceeds will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCA of Greater Waterville.

For more information, visit www.ClubAYC.org.


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