Elena Loper and Chris Alexakis, both students at Palisades High, won Mr. and Miss Palisades titles last Wednesday night at Pierson Playhouse in the annual contest sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. In addition to earning $2,000 college stipends from the Cathie Wishnick Scholarship Fund, Loper received a pair of earrings from Denton Jewelers valued at $350 and Alexakis won a $250 silver Swiss Army knife. The runners-up, Katie Lantz (PaliHi) and Jacob Correia (Brentwood) both received a $200 cash prize. Each of the eight contestants (also including Jared Loptman, Nell Zaloom, Kristos Andrew Drum and Chelsea Shannon) gave a five-minute talent presentation. Loptman (PaliHi) wowed the crowd with a trick-stick juggling performance, Zaloom played ‘La Valse d’Amelie’ on the piano, Loper sang ‘Angel,’ Correia played a Vilvaldi piece on the violin and Lantz sang ‘Show-off,’ while also dancing and twirling the baton in a show-stopper. Drum (PaliHi), who won a gold medal at the 2007 High School Skateboarding X Games, talked about his sport and showed a video of his exceptional talent. Alexakis, who’s talent is animation, showed a short computer presentation called ‘Day-Dream Animation’ which tapped into his fascination for Japan and the culture that produced Pokemon and Bobba. The contestants were asked three questions and the judges, which included Tai Collins, Bobby Mackston, Cindy Pickett, Skip Schoolnik and Karen Voight, listened to the answers while judging poise and personal appearance. The first two questions concerned some aspect of the contestant’s resume; the third question was ‘What do you like best about the Palisades?’ ‘I like the ocean, the schools, the beaches, being able to ride my bike to the library and up and down Temescal Canyon,’ Loptman answered. ‘You know everyone,’ said Zaloom (Marymount). ‘When you’re at the grocery store, you instantly know five people. There’s no where else I’d rather live.’ ‘You always feel safe–it’s secure,’ Drum said, and Loper commented, “I love the aspect of community and that everyone is connected,’ ‘What I love most is the Palisades parade,” said Correia. “We have a barbecue and my cousins and grandparents all come.” ‘The community environment and the supportative neighbors,’ said Lantz. ‘It is important to have community support.’ ‘I feel connected here,’ Alexakis said. ‘I go to the farmers’ market every Sunday, which helps me meet people. I like the excellent sunsets.’ ‘I moved here two years ago,’ said Shannon (Harvard-Westlake). . ‘I love the beach and the neighborhood feel. Every time I go into the village I meet someone I know.’ While the judges pondered over their final decision, co-hosts Sam Lagana and Cindy Simon, who are also July 4 parade announcers, kept up a witty repartee. They introduced Griffith Frank, a Topanga resident and a freshman voice student at UCLA who impressively performed three diverse songs. Then last year’s winners, Colleen Benko (a pianist) and Tyler DuBovy (speaker/singer), gave farewell performances before turning over their titles. The Palisades Teen Pageant was chaired by Carol Smolinisky and choregraphed by Thea White.
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