The final 16 finalist were: Dudley Caproni, Ayfere, Sharede Taylor, Rappquelle, Trent Carter, All Stars, Alexus, Just Gina, Burnai Capron, Erica, Chase, Bobby Blatch, Trekeiece Douglas, Raquel Oliver, Keaira Watson, Naughty, and Dano Rolle.

Raquel Oliver won 1st place; the All Stars 2nd; and Chase was 3rd. Each of these winners will get a trip to Atlanta to compete in another Stage Show as well have earned studio time.

The Big Stage Show plans to return again next year and have created a Bahamian record label. Proceeds from admittance to The Big Stage Show went entirely to the YMCA.

To see all the photos from Saturday click here: Pictures from Robbin Whachell
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One hundred auditioned and after four weeks of Round 1 competition, the judges progressed to a large Round 2 showcase this past Saturday, April 21st at the YMCA.

Like a Bahamian version of American Idol, over fifteen persons were eliminated. Unlike “Simon”, these judges (Marlyn Rolle and Barron McClegdon, this past Saturday) were a lot more gentle, each time telling the contestant first how they were good, before critiquing disappointments or areas of improvement.

All the contestants that made it into Round 2, like Karon Pinder-Johnson said, “…are all winners”. This event has taught each one of them much discipline to rehearse under pressure, and perform and be judged in front of an audience.

The final 16 contestants are: Dudley Caproni, Ayfere, Sharede Taylor, Rappquelle, Trent Carter, All Stars, Alexus, Just Gina, Burnai Capron, Erica, Chast, Bobby Blatch, Trekeiece Douglas, Raquel Oliver, Keaira Watson, Naughty, and Dano Rolle.

If you wish to be a part of the audience this Saturday, the show starts at 8:00pm and the admittance is $10.00 for adults and $7.00 for children 12 and under. Alvin Speights will be on hand for the final judging.

To view photos of April 21st show see Show Photos at TheBahamasWeekly.com

The Grand Bahama American Women’s Club (GBAWC) on Monday presented a cheque to members of the Board of Directors for the YMCA as a part of the American Women’s Club’s support of YMCA programs. The bulk of the funds are said to go towards the YMCA’s summer camp this season.
“The monies presented came about as a result of a tennis tournament that we hosted last year and sponsored by Foster and Dunhill,” explained Penny Bethel, President of the GBAWC.
“They had promised us $20,000 and that was used for scholarships. But all the ladies were so impressed by the children we had there, that they each threw in $1,000, coming up to a total of over $6,000.

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You’ve heard of the “Perry Shuffle” and the “Vola dance”, well, Karon Johnson, Executive Director of the YMCA, has her own one-two step, foot shuffle that’s a rare sighting. Actually, it only comes out when she receives exciting news about the YMCA. So, on Saturday morning, Karon danced to her heart’s content, after she received news from a corporate sponsor to pay for the entire refurbishing of the YMCA.
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Over 100 people auditioned in recent weeks for the show, which is like a Bahamian version of American Idol. The judges are Grammy Award winner, Alvin Speights who is the director of the show, and Barron McClendon both of Atlanta. The show is produced by Lee “Wix” McCallum.

The show has been advertised to start at 3pm, but did not get going until 8pm, and it was mentioned that subsequent shows will now start at 8pm. Best to call the YMCA at 352-7074 to be sure!

You can visit the shows website at http://www.thebigstageshow.com/

Y.M.C.A./Pony League Baseball, registration is underway at the Y.M.C.A. The fee is a one time charge of $ 30.00 per child. Girls and Boys 4 – 15 years. This will include a cap, jersey and pants. League begins February 24th, 2007. “First Come, First Served.”

On Saturday February 17th, the YMCA wrapped up their Soccer League with Cup Championship matches, lunch cooked for the kids, and an Award for each child. “Every child recieves a trophy, because we are all winners at the Y!”, said Karon Pinder-Johnson, the Executive Director. Photos are availabe for viewing and purchase from In Focus Fotography (Brent Bethel). Brent can also be reach by email at brent.bethel@gmail.com

MINI Division
League Winners Seaboard Marine Sharks
Runner Up Royal Bank Bankers
Cup Championship Royal Bank Bankers
Runner Up Seaboard Marine Sharks
Shield Winners G.B. Port Authority Wolves
Runner Up Waugh Warriors
Plate Winners Pepsi Gladiators
Runner Up Sunquest Raptors
JUNIOR Division
League Winners G.B. Terrazzo Tigers
Runner Up Esquires Knights
Cup Championship G.B. Terrazzo Tigers
Runner Up Esquires Knights
Shield Winners Scotia Bank Titans
Runner Up Polymers Pistons
Plate Winners Care Maintenance Sweepers
Runner Up Borco Oilers
League Most Valuable Players Junior Division (name and team name):
Jordon Farquharson, Polymers Pistons
Saul Solonga, Scotia Bank Titans
Sam Taylor, Esquire Knights
James Farquharson, Care Maintenance Sweepers
Denzel Deveaux, G.B Terrazzo Tigers
Mathew Armstrong, Borco Oilers
League Most Valuable Players Mini Division:
Quincey Grant, Waugh Warriors
Matt Parsons, G. B. Port Authority Wolves
Elliot DeGregory, Pepsi Gladiators
Joanna Evans, Royal Bank Bankers
Luca Borsetto, Seaboard Marine Sharks
Dante Carey, Sunquest Raptors
Cup Championship Most Valuable Player:
Andre Turnquest, G.B. Terrazzo Tigers
Kristian Moree, Royal Bank Bankers
League Most Improved Players Junior Division:
Dylan Low, Polymers Pistons
Hiram Johnson, Scotia Bank Titans
Alex Von Albedyhll, Esquire Knights
Matthew Smith, Care Maintenance Sweepers
Perez Knowles, G.B. Terrazzo Tigers
Jonathan Walters, Borco Oilers

League Most Improved Players Mini Division:
Lauren Gouthro, Waugh Warriors
Shannon Albury, G.B. Port Authority Wolves
Tai DeGregory, Pepsi Gladiators
Cameron Riley, Royal Bank Bankers
Brandon Charles, Seaboard Marine Sharks
Dante Robinson, Sunquest Raptors

SOCCER Coaches, we could not have done it without YOU!

Pee Wee Division: Deona “Dee Dee” Riley, Elcot Johnson, Michele Russell, and Jason Snisky

Mini Division:
Francis Bain Sr. & Johnny Chessa, Royal Bank Bankers
Debbie Borsetto, Seaboard Marine Sharks
Glym Clemenson & Milissa Sweeting, G. B. Port Authority Wolves
Fabio Cortes, Pepsi Gladiators
Sean Graham, Waugh Warriors
Sylvia Carey & Joanna Carey, Sunquest Raptors

Junior Division:
Tony Lopez & Brad Bethel, G.B. Terrazzo Tigers
Steve Taylor, Esquire Knights
Francis Bain Jr., Borco Oilers
Jason DeGregory, Care Maintenance Sweepers
Stefano Borsetto, Polymers Piston,
Will Sleddan, Scotia Bank Bankers,

A BIG, BIG THANKS to League Sponsors:
Show Off T-Shirts
Seaboard Marine
Grand Bahama Port Authority
Waugh Construction (Bah) Ltd.
Sunquest Realty
Royal Bank of Canada
Pepsi Cola Bahamas Ltd.
Scotia Bank
Borco
Care Maintenance Ltd.
Esquire Men’s Clothing
Polymers International Ltd.
G.B. Terrezzo Tile & Masonry Co Ltd.Sunny Isles Water & Juice
Quality Auto Sales (Freeport) Ltd.

The YMCA is having a Fun Run, Walk on Saturday, February 17th. Come by the Y to register for only $10.00.

The race leaves from the YMCA grounds at 7:00am.

The Soccer season will close on February17, 2007 with championship matches followed by awards and lunch. Games get underway at the usual times (10 am) and the awards will take place at approximately 12:30 pm. All parents are asked to attend the awards ceremony.

Soccer will resume once again in the Fall. The YMCA would like to thank all those persons, in particular the dedicated coaches that volunteered their time to make this programme a success!

Ballroom dancing for children ages 8 to 13 and adults. Learn the art ofRhumba, Salsa, Tango, Samba, and Cha-Cha. Starting November 2, 2006

Children: Thursday 5-6pm OR Saturday 2-3pm

Adults: Thursday 8 – 9pm OR Saturday 7 – 9pm

For more information contact the YMCA at 352-7074.