Shining S.T.A.R.S. performers dazzle on stage

After a two year hiatus, the Shining S.T.A.R.S. pageant returned to the Performing Arts Center to an exuberant reception.

  • By Michele Meyers
  • | 1:29 p.m. March 13, 2022
  • Ormond Beach Observer
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The excitement was palpable as 19 Shining S.T.A.R.S. pageant performers took the stage at the Performing Arts Center for their opening dance number to the song “Descendants Mash-up”. Saturday, Mar. 12 was their first performance back after COVID restrictions were imposed two years ago.

15 year old Shoshana Ravede performed a skit from the Children’s Musical Theater production of the movie “Frozen”. She has been performing in the pageant since she was seven years old and was excited to be back. Her parents, Lisa and Jimmy Ravede—teachers at Pine Trail Elementary, say the stage is her favorite place.

“She is a stage hound,” Lisa said. “She is shooting for Broadway. She’s going to be the first special needs Annie.”

S.T.A.R.S. stands for Special Therapeutic Activities and Recreation Services. Lori Koplin is the Nova Community Center and Special Needs Coordinator for the city of Ormond Beach and has been involved with the pageant for 15 years. She has been the coordinator for 10 of those years. The pageant was the first program canceled due to the pandemic. It happened the day of practice.

“The performers really missed the show,” she said. “I think that’s what made this show so great.”

“The pageant is the only day that their disability is not the focus of who they are. It’s their talent.”

LORI KOPLIN,

Nova Community Center and Special Populations Coordinator 

Koplin expressed that one of the best things about the pageant is the emergence of personalities in those that have been participating for a while. For the new performers, it gives parents a chance to see their children from a different perspective.

“The pageant is the only day that their disability is not the focus of who they are,” she said. “It’s their talent.”

Admittedly, Koplin usually experiences stress as the pageant approaches. She counteracts the potential for some of the disabilities having inherent behavioral issues by overplanning. Marc Schwartz, the Performing Arts Center supervisor, offered her sage advice.

“Marc told me that it’s my pageant until they walk in and then it’s theirs,” she said. “It’s my job to make sure they look good and that’s all I have to do then it’s up to them to shine.”

Schwartz has been working at the center for 12 years and stated the Shining S.T.A.R.S. pageant was one of his favorites.

“It’s one of the best things I get to do,” he said. “I really get to do what I like to do which is serve the community. The greatest thing about it for me is I feel it’s making a difference in people’s lives.”

The Ravedes attribute their daughter’s increased balance, muscle development and overall strength to her participation in Koplin’s special populations programs and activities. The act of learning dances alone has benefitted the teen’s ability to process information more quickly translating into her successfully tackling the requirements of becoming a musical theater actor.

“Miss Lori does wonderful things for the special needs community by helping to develop the children and their talents,” Lisa Ravede said. “Shoshana has flourished with all her activities and programs.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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