Nine Teens Compete for Mr. and Miss Palisades

Nine contestants will compete in the 2009 Palisades Teen Contest on Wednesday, March 18, at 7 p.m. in Pierson Playhouse, 941 Temescal Canyon Road. Tickets ($20 adults, $10 students) are now on sale at the Chamber of Commerce office on Antioch. The Mr. and Miss Palisades contest is sponsored by the Chamber, with each winner receiving a $2,000 Cathie Wishnick memorial scholarship, and each runner-up $200. Thea White will once again choreograph the opening number and Sam Lagana and Nicole Howard will be the onstage co-hosts. Reigning Mr. and Miss Palisades, Chris Alexakis and Elena Loper, will give farewell performances, and Mimi Vitale, who was Miss Palisades in 2000, will sing. The female contestants are: ‘ Jackie Brody, Oaks Christian School sophomore, singer, pianist, soccer player and competitive skier. ‘ Samantha Elander, Palisades Charter High School sophomore, soccer player, swimmer and tutor. ‘ Sabrina Giglio, PaliHi sophomore, cellist, swimmer and Girl Scout troop leader. ‘ Courtney Kelly, Harvard-Westlake School sophomore, artist, environmental activist, and representative on City Councilman Bill Rosendahl’s District 11 Youth Council. The male contestants are: ‘ Jacob Correia, Brentwood School sophomore, violinist, runner-up in a previous Mr. Palisades contest, swimmer and water-polo player. ‘ Wyn Delano, PaliHi junior, impersonator, actor, opera singer and tap dancer. ‘ Sam Green, Crossroads High School junior, guitarist, photographer and DJ. ‘ Micah Gordon, Windward School sophomore, jazz pianist and tennis player. ‘ Julian Xavier Whatley, PaliHi senior, swimmer, U.S. history tutor, video-game designer. The judges will be: Gavin MacLeod, honorary mayor; Mona Golabek, concert pianist; Linda Vitale, vocalist; Marcie Gold, television producer; and Paola DeMari, board member of Italy-America Chamber of Commerce West. The event is organized by Carol Smolinisky (chairperson), Candida Piaggi, Ramis Sadrieh, Lauri McNevin, Thea White and Arnie Wishnick.