Kim Nelson Foundation Sing-Off set for June 9 at high school

Kim Cook remembered her experience when she sang on stage at Bridgewater-Raritan High School in 2015 and 2016.

She at that time participated in the early days of the Kim Nelson Foundation’s Sing-Off, an event that showcased the singing talents of the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District students.

Today, she continues to remain connected to the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District as a 3rd Grade Teacher at the John F. Kennedy Primary School.

And she also remains involved with the good-hearted Kim Nelson Foundation and its highly popular Sing-Off.

The 10th Annual Sing-Off will be performed on stage at Bridgewater-Raritan High School auditorium on Friday, June 9. The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Ms. Cook is part of the Kim Nelson Foundation Committee that will present the Sing-Off, which will not only showcase the talents of the student singers but will raise money for the Foundation.

“I competed once (2015 and 2016) and I since got involved in the committee,” said Ms. Cook, who sang in the choir when she studied for her Education degree at The College of New Jersey. “I want to give back to the community.”

And she is giving back to an organization that supports the school district’s student singers.
 

According to the Kim Nelson Foundation website:

The Kimberly A. Nelson Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non profit corporation established in 2010 to honor the memory of Kim Nelson, a beloved member of the Class of 2010 at Bridgewater-Raritan High School in Bridgewater, NJ. who passed away in September 2009. Nothing gave Kim greater enjoyment than performing on stage, whether in Chamber Choir, musical theater or in her church.

In celebration of that joy and in recognition of Kim's academic accomplishments the mission of the Foundation is to provide an annual scholarship to a Bridgewater-Raritan High School senior who has been active in choir and musical theater as well as having demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence and community service. The Foundation also supports, through grants, those educational initiatives which promote and encourage participation in vocal performance and musical theater.

Ms. Cook, whose passion for singing remains today as she is a member of the Somerset Hills Harmony, which is based in Pluckemin, explained what is expected to be a sound evening on June 9.

She reported that there are nine performances scheduled–eighth solo acts and one dual presentation. The participants are current students who attend Bridgewater-Raritan High School as well as Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School.

The nine performances all earned a ticket to the Sing-Off by passing auditions that were held earlier in May.

They will each sing one song of their choice and once the judges determine their rulings, the top three finishers will be awarded monetary prizes.

This is the list of singers (grade in school) and the appearance of their performance

1. Joshua Zagare (sophomore)

2. Sanjana Thayi (junior)

3. Rebecca Puszkin (sophomore)

4. Lila Dettelback (senior)

5. Prisha Gudimella (sophomore)

6. Ezra Brotschul (freshman) & Agastya Shahane (freshman)

7. Lulu Peralta G (sophomore)

8. Derek Boxer (senior)

9. Fallon Billy (senior)

These are the prizes for each of the top three finishers.

1st place - $500

 2nd place - $300

 3rd place - $100

Proceeds from the Sing-Off will go to that scholarship that is awarded to a Bridgewater-Raritan High School senior.

Jack McManus, who participated in many Sing-Offs and was a scholarship recipient in 2017, will  provide the duties as the MC.

Sharon Lawton, who is a member of the Kim Nelson Foundation Board of Trustees, is the main coordinator of the Sing-Off.

She is anxious to celebrate this wonderful evening.

“The Sing-Off has grown over the last 10 years to become a night of celebration,” Ms. Lawton said. “We celebrate the talents of the students who participate in the event and those who receive scholarships from the Kim Foundation; we celebrate the friendships that are renewed every year; and we celebrate the joy that was Kim Nelson.

General admission tickets at the door th evening of June 9 will be $15 for adults and $7 for students.

You can also purchase tickets by going to this link.

https://events.eventgroove.com/event/Bridgewater-10th-Annual-Sing-Off-2023--77472