Jackie Evancho Presents Kean Quest Contestant with 'Jackie Evancho Award'

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

But perhaps even more excited was Paige Hubanek of Cranberry Township, who Jackie presented with the third annual "Jackie Evancho Award."

The award is 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.

Paige played the guitar and performed an original composition called “Cold Dreams.” She has competed in Kean Quest for seven years and attends eighth grade at St. Kilian Parish School.

In presenting Paige with the award, Jackie also stood 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 who received recognition included Ashlyn Beatrice of New Brighton and Shane Treloar of McDonald, who received the Judges’ Choice and Audience Choice awards, respectively. Both received recording packages with Grammy-award winning studio Audible Images.

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