Garden City Teen Captures Second in Talent Contest

Garden City's own Mary Kate Petsky took home second place in the county's 2012 Reach for the Stars teen talent finals recently held at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre in Eisenhower Park. 

“I congratulate this year’s first, second, and third place winners, along with all of our participants," county executive Ed Mangano said. "There are so many gifted young people here in Nassau County and each year, the ‘Reach for the Stars’ event showcases the best in young vocal talent.”

Petsky, 13, and Kara McNelis, 16, also of Garden City, were amongst 21 finalists chosen from an auditon pool of 64 contestants. Petsky placed second with her performance of "Don’t Rain on My Parade."

The annual competition is a showcase of the county’s most talented young stars between the ages of 13 and 19, according to Mangano. Previous winners of the competition include participants who moved on to American Idol fame; Kevin Covais in 2003, and Robbie Rosen in 2009.