Jackie Evancho Returns to Kean Quest Finals

Jackie Evancho will return next month to the same stage where she gave her first ever public performance at the Kean Quest Talent Search—the popular local talent competition.

Jackie will appear as a guest judge and is scheduled to present the third annual "Jackie Evancho Award," on April 5 at the Kean Theatre in Richland Township.

Named for the Richland native, 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, according to Kean Quest. 

Twenty-seven youth finalists were chosen Sunday during two semi-final competitions, including Morgan Engle of Pine Township is a seventh-grader at Pine Richland Middle School. Her hobbies include musical theater and acting. For the second semi-final round she sang “Shy” from the musical “Once Upon a Mattress.” 

Jackie was 7 when she first stepped onto the Kean Theatre stage in 2008 and then 2009 to compete in Kean Quest, formerly Kean Idol. She went on to win the hearts of millions in 2010 as the first-runner-up on "America's Got Talent."

Now, the 12-year-old's resume includes platinum records and sold-out concerts. 

The 2013 Kean Quest Talent Search began its 10th season on Jan. 27 and concludes with the highly-anticipated youth finals. The Kean Quest title and a recording session in a Grammy Award-winning studio, donated by Audible Images, will be awarded as the grand prize to the Judges' and Audience Choice winners.

A limited number of finals tickets are available starting at $14 and can be purchased by calling 724-444-KEAN (5326). 

The finalists are:

• Kiersten Kelly, Imperial, Audience Choice Award 
• Shane Treloar, North Fayette, Audience Choice Award
• Sabrina Knox, Valencia
• Karac O’Brien, Valencia
• Jordann Versaw, Mars
• Paige Hurbanek, Cranberry
• Marlee Manuel, Connoquenessing
• Hope Albert, Apollo
• Ashlyn Beatrice, New Brighton
• Christina Dantam, Poland, OH
• Madeline Dick, O’Hara
• Brittany Dlliott, Arnold
• Arianna Ranallo, Venetia
• Grace Rusnica, Hempfield Twp.
• Kolette Tetlow, Mt. Lebanon
• Morgan Traud, Whitehall
• Maura Yates, Sewickley
• Amanda Bishop, Butler
• Morgan Engle, Pine Township
• Abbey Evanko, Scott Twp.
• Sarah Fair, Allison Park
• Jane Fusco, Ross Twp.
• Sara Hopkins, Avalon
• Ashley Irwin, Canonsburg
• Carmen LoPresti, Jefferson Hills
• Allison Mizgorski, Butler
• Christina Trocchio, Oakdale

 Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter

Check out some of today's other top stories here.