West Allegheny Singer Wins Audience Votes at Kean Quest Talent Search

West Allegheny singer Shane Treloar won big at the Kean Quest Talent Search.

The 12-year-old from North Fayette Township received the Judges’ Choice and Audience Choice awards at the 10th annual talent showcase held on April 5.

As a result, he landed a recording package with Grammy-award winning studio Audible Images. Shane performed “One Moment in Time” recorded by Whitney Houston and received the most votes from the audience of all acts that performed during the finals.

Also awarded the judges' and audience choice was Ashlyn Beatrice, a New Brighton third-grader who performed “I Won’t Grow Up” from Disney’s “Peter Pan,” and received the top combined score of the four judges from all 25 contestants performing during the Youth Finals. She also received the recording package.

The return of Jackie Evancho to the Kean Quest finals had the Kean Theatre in Richland buzzing with excitement.

Jackie presented eighth-grader Paige Hubanek of Cranberry Township with the third annual "Jackie Evancho Award," a prize presented to a contestant who, like Jackie, has competed in Kean Quest for two or more years, works hard, never gives up and continues to follow his or her dreams no matter the outcome of the competition.

Jackie presented the award on the stage where she gave her first public performance. The young singing sensation and Pine-Richland native went from performing as a Kean Quest contestant in 2008 and 2009 to presenting an award in her honor and serving as a guest judge.

“I would say stay confident, even if you don’t win tonight you’ll do the best you can at this moment and you just have to keep following your dreams,” Jackie told the contestants when asked if she had any advice for them.

More than 20 contestants competed in the youth finals of the 2013 Kean Quest Talent Search. Ched Mertz, member of the original “Four Seasons,” served as master of ceremonies at the competition, which took place on April 5.

Others recognized included Grace Rusnica of Irwin, who was first runner-up based on the judges’ scores, and Carmen LoPresti of Jefferson Hills, who came in second based on scores.

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