Singer Jasmine Binney of Santa Maria took home the winner’s trophy and a $1,000 check the night of March 10 in the third annual “Santa Maria Has Talent” competition at Santa Maria Veteran’s Hall.
The talent award was sponsored by Coast Hills Credit Union.
The Sun’s own executive editor, Ryan Miller, won second place singing “Trouble” from The Music Man, and Veronica Zabaletta won third with Whitney Houston’s hit “I Will Always Love You.”
“Santa Maria’s Favorite,” a people’s choice award, went to country singing teen Skyler Addamo, who took home a trophy and $500.
“Santa Maria Has Talent” was sponsored by Santa Maria Rotary South, a local service club. All proceeds will be donated to charitable organizations sponsored by the club.
Roxanne Ventriglia and Robert Byrne were hosts of the three-night competition, which brought in nearly 50 men, women, and children who live or work in Santa Maria, Guadalupe, Nipomo, and Lompoc.
First-place winner Binney, who sang Adele’s “One and Only,” said she’ll use the $1,000 award to help pay for her wedding.
Talent judges for the three-night event were Superior Court Judge Jed Beebe, singer and teacher Diane Parker, ballroom dance studio owner David King, performing artist Linda Scott, and Rotarian John Kinney.
This article appears in Mar 15-22, 2012.