Off the Field, but Not Off-Key: Student-Athlete Shows 'Star' Quality

Singer Alyssa G. Gentile, of Fairport, New York, a pre-applied health studies: radiography concentration and member of the Wildcat softball team, was chosen as 2018's “Penn College Star” in Friday's fifth annual talent competition. Among the other eight musical performers, general studies student Heaven A. Stansbury, of South Williamsport, was runner-up – a notch above her third-place finish last year – and Hannah D. Dawson, of Williamsport, a legal assistant/paralegal major, was third. The event, sponsored by the Wildcat Events Board, was held in the Klump Academic Center Auditorium.

– Photos by Rachel A. Eirmann, student photographer

 

 

Offering their critique (and their encouragement) from a stage-front vantage, the evening's judges are (from left) Chef Monica J. Lanczak, instructor of baking and pastry arts/culinary arts; Caleb E. Cartmell, Student Government Association president; Joseph E. LeBlanc, assistant professor of physics; and Jacob T. Bowers, WEB chair.

Jones raps for the audience.

Erin B. Powers, of Fairfield, pre-nursing ...

... met by the swaying radiance of audience members activating and waving cellphone flashlights.

Duvall commands the ACC's formidable stage with an original composition.

Dawson listens to feedback from the judges.

"Penn College Star" participants vamp for text-message voters in hopes of being crowned this year's top performer. From left: Dawson; Rachel M. Mike, Lewisburg, welding and fabrication engineering technology; Stansbury; Gentile; Jarred J. Jones, Shamokin, automotive technology; Skyla E Feerar, Avis, graphic design; Abigail E. Duvall, Centre Hall; graphic design; Powers; and Mohammed A. Alhussain, Saudi Arabia, plastics and polymer engineering technology. At right is emcee Lloyd A. Shope, 2016 winner.

Winners strike a proud and playful pose: From left, are Dawson, Gentile and Stansbury.

The winner is surrounded by friends and fans, including some of her teammates on the Wildcat softball team.