15 Dec 2013 Choosing to Excel 'Conway's Got Talent'
by Sonja J. Keith
Singer/songrwriter Kris Allen recently offered a helping hand to Choosing to Excel, an organization that he volunteered with long before he found success on the American Idol stage.
Choosing to Excel hosted its annual “Evening with the Stars and Conway’s Got Talent” at the James Clark Auditorium at Conway High School. The event celebrated the organization’s more than 20 years of impact on the lives of young people.
In addition to Allen, there were special performances by Rob Hammonds and Funk Fusion Academy.
People’s Choice winners, determined by votes cast by monetary donations, were: first place, Team Ellen Smith; second, Rhonda Bradley; and third, Team Julia Lee Moore, also known as “The Lunchroom Ladies.” Winners as determined by a panel of judges were: first place, Team Ellen Smith; second, Elizabeth Davis; and third, Rosa Howard.
B98.5 morning show host Jeff Matthews and Susie Everett of Everett Buick Pontiac GMC served as the show emcees.
Executive director Thelma Moton thanked the sponsors of the event and those in attendance. Sponsors included: Platinum – Georg Andersen and US Compounding; Gold – Conway Orthopaedic, Cadron Creek Pallets and Harris Plastering; Silver – The Kitchen Store, Kay and Dr. Kyle Dalton and Centennial Bank; Bronze – Sen. Jason Rapert, Magie Mabrey Eye Clinic and Arkansas Elite 4 Force.
Choosing to Excel provides a variety of services to encourage young people to make healthy choices, from mentoring and weekly focus groups to assistance for single pregnant or parenting women. The organization provides services in Faulkner, Conway, Garland, Saline and Pulaski counties.
For more information, visit c2espace.com.
