CARIBOU, Maine — After six years of practicing the violin, at least an hour each day (more if she’s having fun) Hope Chernesky of Houlton stole the Northern Star finale from the instant her bow unleashed a hair-raising demonstration of just how powerful a 13-year-old girl with determination can sound.
“I’m relieved it’s over. I’m still a bit shaky, but quite happy how this all turned out,” she said.
Lucky for Chernesky, Northern Star opened the annual competition up to include a wider variety of talent including singers, dancers and musicians.
The standing ovation she received after she finished playing Lindsey Stirling’s “Crystallize” will be something she’ll need to get used to as she continues her music career.
“I want to go to Berklee school of music in Boston for college. After that I would like to have a job recording my own songs.”
Hope Chernesky of Houlton, right, is all smiles at the moment when she heard judges name her as the 2017 Northern Star at the conclusion of Sunday’s finale at the Caribou Performing Arts Center. The 13-year-old violinist competed against other talented performers from throughout northern Maine including Jennifer Raymond of Eagle Lake, left. (Contributed photo/Joshua Archer)
Right around the time Chernesky was born, United Way of Aroostook began casting a spotlight on The County and offered a stage to feature northern Maine and later western New Brunswick’s talented folks as a way to raise funds for its services. This year’s Northern Star finale brought in over 700 audience members to the Caribou Performing Arts Center last Sunday.
With two years of Northern Star under her belt, United Way of Aroostook’s Executive Director Sherry Locke says this year close to 2,000 contestants, volunteers and audience members helped raise almost $25,000.
“The thing that I love about Northern Star is that it’s a county-wide event. We do three regional shows in Houlton, Presque Isle and Fort Kent and we conclude here in Caribou,” Locke said.
Thirteen finalists sang, danced, played and beatboxed their hearts out on the CPAC stage Sunday afternoon. Contestants were from all around the region including international UMFK student George Safonov of Kiev, Ukraine who beatboxed and played guitar.
14-year-old Cady Hebert of Fort Kent sang “Concrete Angel” by Martina McBride. 20-somethings Chuck Grim, Chris Moran and Charles Long of Houlton and Monticello rapped as their group Verbal Assault. 33-year-old Christine Robinson of St. Francis sang “Here for the Party” by Gretchen Wilson. 13-year-old Sidney Peabody of New Limerick performed on the piano “This is Gospel” by Panic! At the Disco. 16-year-old Makayla Shackett of Washburn performed a lyrical dance to “Poison and Wine” by The Civil Wars. 34-year-old Jennifer Raymond of Eagle Lake sang “Me and Bobby McGee” by Janis Joplin. Cassidy Pelletier and Brandon Dorr, both 17 and from Ashland, performed their own rendition of “Toxic’ by Brittany Spears. 16-year-old Caroline Woods of Presque Isle performed on the piano “Your Song” by Elton John. 28-year-old Jake Graham of Mapleton performed his own song “Marry Me”. 41-year-old Eric Gustin of Caribou sang “Feels like the First Time” by Foreigner. And MoonDance Cloggers Julea Gorneault, Kimberly Cook, Anna Mautz, Rachel Ellis, Emma Crouse, Jaidyn Blake, Katelyn Amero, Sadie Kinney, Yessenia Vilar and Rossalyn Buck performed a clogging routine to “Dust” by Eli Young Band.
Finale judges Doug Giroux of Madawaska, Jerry Joles of Presque Isle and Tammy Goetsch of Houlton represented Aroostook County and gave honest feedback to each contestant while Northern Star co-hosts Katie Zarrilli and Jason Parent kept the crowd energized and smiling between each performance.
A trio of emcees helped bring the 2017 Northern Star talent competition, a fundraiser for United Way of Aroostook, to a successful conclusion Sunday night at the Caribou Performing Arts Center. They are, from left, Sherry Locke, UWA executive director; Katie Zarrilli, WAGM reporter; and longtime United Way director Jason Parent. (Contributed/Joshua Archer)
Hope, the daughter of Pam and Mickey Chernesky, takes the reins from 2016 winner Stacie Coltart of Madawaska. Over the coming year the Houlton Middle/High School seventh-grader will have to be on the ready for when United Way calls her to showcase her talents at various events.
United Way of Aroostook helps folks all around The County by feeding seniors, putting books in the hands of children, providing free tax prep and overall investing in Aroostook County’s future.
“It’s a wonderful community event by pulling in a little bit from everyone it makes the show great. It’s the secret to the United Way as well — everyone gives a little and this is what you get.”
