In this contest, youths win

By Sean Barron

One of the judges gave a recent winning performance on NBC’s ‘Clash of the Choirs.’

YOUNGSTOWN — For Deneja Phillips, performing in front of hundreds of people on the Stambaugh Auditorium stage may have been a vocal exercise, but it also was an exercise in pure fun and enjoyment.

“I felt excited,” added Deneja, 14, a Hayes Middle School eighth-grader.

Deneja, who came with her mother, Shanel, was part of a choir that participated in Saturday’s first “Coming Together for Prevention in Perfect Harmony” event. Her group represented the Youngstown Afterschool Alliance Prevention, a four-day-a-week program at her school that helps youngsters develop their social, academic, cultural and emotional skills.

The two-hour program was the idea of Judge Theresa Dellick of Mahoning County Juvenile Court and approved by the Ohio Department of Youth Services. Judge Dellick got roughly $80,000 in state funds for juvenile court diversion programs and wanted to distribute the money to the community.

The musical competition, set up to encourage kids to work together and stay out of trouble, featured 14 youth choirs, each of which represented a nonprofit agency, program or church organization.

Whether with instrumental accompaniment, recorded music or a cappella, each group gave its interpretation of the popular 1971 hit “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony)” by the New Seekers. Judge Dellick said she chose that song largely because of its lyrics, which symbolize peace and unity.

Even though she’s only 6, Briana Robinson had no trouble handling the catchy words to the song. The Campbell Elementary School kindergartner, who was a member of the choir representing Life’s Experience for Life’s Development, said she was “happy to be onstage.”

“I’m excited to see my daughter take part in such a big event at such an early age,” said her father, Brandon. “When they see this, it’s easier for kids to come up with their own ideas to unify the community.”

The other 12 nonprofit groups to get state money for juvenile crime prevention programs were Associated Neighborhood Centers, Athena School of Excellence, the Boys Girls Club of Youngstown, Calvary Freewill/Young People in Power, Destination Imagination, Heartreach Inc., Organizacion Civica y Cultural Hispana Americana, Recovery Restoration Inc., Sisters of Serenity Mentoring Corp., University Success, Watkins Christian Academy and the Youngstown Connection.

The three-judge panel consisted of Youngstown native LeShawn Tucker, who was part of a winning team that recently performed on NBC’s “Clash of the Choirs”; Linda Modry, bureau chief of subsidies and grants with the Ohio DYS; and Michael Lisi, director of vocal music in the Avon Lake City School District.

The top five finishers received $10,000; prizes of $2,500 and $5,000 were given to the remaining four and five choirs, respectively.

The groups will be able to use the funds for needs they see fit for their communities, noted Anthony Dapolito, juvenile court administrator. Among the needs are educational programs, neighborhood cleanups and social events, Dapolito said.

All of the money for the program came from the state DYS, and it will be evaluated quarterly to ensure the funds are being properly spent, Judge Dellick noted.