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Thursday, May 10, 2001 'Night of Stars': Talent show delivers with Latin flairBy CLAUDIA MOSCOSO | News-Journal Staff Writer DELTONA — Diagnosed with laryngitis, a welder who sings in his off time put a full day at work before performing at the Volusia County Hispanic Association's talent show. Ramon Edgardo Latorre, 23, actually performed twice at the event last week at the Deltona Civic Center. Wearing a black shirt and khaki pants, Latorre first sang solo and later took the stage with JC Crew, a bilingual worship group that performs a mix of Latin jazz and gospel music. The same reason that prompted Latorre to turn down an offer from a major music company two years ago to concentrate in producing Christian music guided him to the talent show last Thursday. That reason was God, he said. At the end, JC Worship Crew placed third in the youth category, winning $50. But for Latorre, the purpose of attending the show was "to praise the Lord." Latorre was among 14 performers in the show, including individuals and groups. More than 250 people packed the Deltona Civic Center to enjoy the variety show. Zenaida Denizac, an event organizer, said the talent show was a way for the association to start replenishing the scholarship fund. The association's goal next year is to double the number of scholarships to four, each for $500. Another goal, equally important, was to unite local youths, she added. Singing "Como la Flor," a popular song by the late Selena, a Latin music star murdered in March 1995, Aurora Aguilar, 16, of Pierson, helped turn those goals into reality. Pierson resident Roberto Vazquez was among a delegation of 13 young people from Northwest Volusia in attendance. "This is the first time that we come to participate in an event in this area. Hopefully there will be other opportunities for all of us young people to come together," he said, speaking in Spanish. "We are here to cheer Lolita (Aurora Aguilar) on." Unlike Northwest Volusia, which has a predominantly Mexican Hispanic population, Deltona has thousands of residents of Puerto Rican roots. This city also has a more diverse Hispanic population, including residents from Colombia, Dominican Republic and other Caribbean and Latin American countries. According to the census, Hispanics, whose numbers in Volusia County nearly doubled from 14,840 to 29,111, played a key role in Deltona's growth. The proportion of Hispanics in Deltona grew from 10.1 percent to 18.3 percent, reflecting a population increase from 5,139 to 12,747. Besides bringing Hispanic communities in West Volusia county together, the event also lived up to its name, "Night of Stars," or "Noche de Estrellas" in Spanish. Dressed in a white cat outfit, singer Megan Hevner delivered a powerful performance of "Memories," a song from the Broadway musical "Cats." She earned first place in the children's category. "I've been singing since I was 4," said the 10-year-old girl. "I'm used to (singing) but I'm sort of nervous she said before taking the stage. Other winners were: In the children's category, Adamarie Gerena, second place; and Boricua Girls, third place. In the youth category, Yaritza Denizac, one of Zenaida's daughters, earned first place. Latin Five placed second. Winners of the first place award received $125, second, $75 and third, $50. Besides building bridges with other Hispanic communities, and bringing young people together, the talent show also had a religious facet to it. Four of the participants performing were affiliated with Santuario Worship Center in Deltona, including JC Worship Crew and Latorre. Denizac was all smiles walking out of the show. The event achieved everything she set out to do. "The talents were great. The hall was packed and the audience was very excited," she said. "All the goals were accomplished," she said. |
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