JIM MATTHEWS/Star BeaconCHARDON'S JESSICA Homolish will be appearing on nationwide television
later this month.
CHARDON - Local country music star Jessica Homolish, a sophomore at
Chardon High School, is tentatively scheduled to appear on the "Sally
Jesse Raphael Show" Feb. 13.
The 17-year-old country music singing sensation and her mother, Judy,
were flown to New York City Nov. 18 to tape the one-hour show titled,
"Wow, These Kids Are Talented."
The show will air locally on WKYC Channel 3 and WICU Channel 12 at
9 a.m.
Judy Homolish said producers of the show called her home Nov. 12 and
asked Jessica if she would like to be part of their special show.
"My first reaction was `no,'" Judy Homolish said. "I was
afraid of her
participating in one of those talk shows with weird subject matter. But
I
thought about it overnight. Jess made the decision. She said, `Yeah, I'm
going Mom!'"
After a hectic four days of preparation, Jessica and her mother found
themselves in New York City. This was a first-time experience for
Jessica.
"It was great, but it was overwhelming," Judy Homolish said. "As
soon as
we arrived, the limousine driver picked us up and took us straight to the
"Sally" show and she had to rehearse.
Jessica performed two of her original songs during the actual show taping
the next day.
Mom said she gained a lot from the experience.
"I think she learned a lot about how television is done," Homolish
said.
"We know now what they go through to get the final product. Now when
we watch a show, we kind of figure it out better."
This wasn't Jessica's first television appearance. Last summer, she was
interviewed live on WEWS Channel 5's "Live on Five" and entertainment
programs on WOIO Channel 19 and WJW Channel 8.
Jessica was also selected to perform last summer on the Stars of
Tomorrow stage at the sixth annual GTE Wireless KidsFest at
Cleveland's Nautica Entertainment Complex.
Along with television appearances last year, Jessica represented the state
at the regional finals of the True Value-Jimmy Dean Country Showdown
at the Capitol Music Hall in Wheeling, W.Va. Billed as America's
biggest country music talent search. Jessica qualified to compete after
winning her local competition at Jewel's Dance Hall in Austinburg and
the state title in August at the Athens County Fairgrounds. She won
$1,000 for her efforts.
Over the past six months, Jessica has performed as an opening act for
several touring Nashville recording artists in northeast Ohio, including
Lee Roy Parnell at Jewel's in October and The Charlie Daniels Band and
Dan Seals in November at Mentor High School.
Jessica is booked to open for a Fraternal Order of Police concert
featuring Joe Diffie at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa., Friday for
two shows, 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets can be obtained by calling 814-337-
5650. She is slated to open for Diffie again later this summer.
Last fall, Jessica, who has a developmental artist contract with Warner
Brothers Records - Nashville, completed her third demo tape, recorded
under the auspices of her producer, Mike Bowden.
The demo tape features four new, original songs and will be released on
a
demo CD and cassette tape of all of the songs she's recorded in Nashville
over the past two years. The new demo tape is scheduled to be released in
mid-March.
Laura Dowler at the moviesWhen James Cameron wrote "Titanic" I wonder if he knew how
big it
would become. Having directed such films as "True Lies," "Aliens"
and
"The Terminator" duo, he had plenty of experience with high budget
films
requiring special effects, but recreating the Titanic disaster was a bigger
risk than ever taken before.
The film cost around $260 million to make, giving it the distinction of
the
most expensive film ever made. Cameron was so sure of the movie he
gave up his directors fee, meaning he directed the film for free. Big
budget films are always a risk, (remember "Waterworld?"), because
many
movies don't even make $100 million at the box office.
After being released Dec. 19, "Titanic" has not only made the
$260
million back it has earned more.
Why will people shell out $7 to see a three-hour movie where the ending
is widely known? (The ship sinks). I'll admit three hours of Leonardo Di
Caprio is worth it but there has to be other reasons.
The reasons are it is a well-crafted movie. It's not strictly a chick flick
or
a guy movie. The story line grabs you and for three hours you are there.
You are a passenger on the "Titanic."
Cameron was able to bring an alarming sense of reality. The emotional
impact that this had on me was profound. It took me two days to recover
from the reality of the story.
Another reason is the soundtrack. The mournful lamentations of the flute
accentuated the mood of the film perfectly. The composer won a well-
deserved Golden Globe award for his score. The ending song by Celine
Dion will bring tears to even the hardest of hearts and is the perfect
ending for such an emotional film.
The romance adds another tragic dimension to this film. It is true that
this
particular story may not have happened, but I am sure that there were
similar incidents. The casting of Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio
was perfect. He being Hollywood's hottest star, and her being pretty much
unknown makes for a great contrast.
The special effects were well worth the millions spent. It is hard to
explain the technicalities and to most people that would be boring, but
the effects are to be marvelled at. They are the kind that can only be
experienced with surround sound and the big screen. Don't wait for
"Titanic" to come to video because that would be missing half
the
experience.
If you are one of the few people who has not seen this movie, I urge you
to go see it. Don't say it's too long, I already know the ending, or I hate
romance movies. Once you see this movie you will realize how much hard
work goes into an epic work like this one.
Dowler wrote this before departing for France. She had the option of
going on a ship, but opted to fly for some reason.
For Justin Nigro, life is like drama. Hey, the guy likes
it that way.
Nigro, a sandy-haired eighth grader at Columbus Junior High School, is
an up-and-coming thespian. He appeared in his school's musical
production of "Tom Sawyer" this year and he was in "HMS Pinafore"
last
year.
Justin also appeared in a local version of "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
He played Lysander and a couple smaller parts.
What does the eighth grader think of Mr. Shakespeare? "He's all right,"
Justin said. (Could Bill himself said it any better?)
Justin also lends a hand to the Columbus tennis squad - some 20
members strong. He said he got hooked on the sport a couple of summers
ago.
Bet you're wondering what is three top wishes are, right?
Here they are:
Finding a cure for cancer, AIDS and other "major diseases."
Achieving world peace.
And: "I'd like to be rich, I guess."
Ah, but in that order, Justin?
U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette is looking for applicants for the House of
Representatives page program. (That's a job as a page, not a TV show.)
You've got to live in the 19th district, go to school here, be at least
16
and have a `B' or better average.
Competition is stiff. Only 66 appointments are accepted. You've got to
fill out a form. Write his office at 1 Victoria Place, Room 320,
Painesville 44077 or check his Web site at www.house.gov/latourette.
Form is due March 20.
Two-month appointments will be from June 7 to Aug. 8 and one-month
appointments are June 7 to July 3 and July 12 to Aug. 8.
Appointments for the school year begin Sept. 6 and conclude in June
1999.
So check it out. See you on C-Span!
The Geauga County Retired Teacher's Association is offering a $250
scholarship award to a deserving student who will be a college senior in
the College of Education during the 1998-99 school year.
The student must have lived in and graduated from a Geauga County high
school to qualify. For an application buttonhole Lois Jeffery, 7407 Avon
Lane, Chesterland 44026. Applicants may also phone or fax the request
to 440-729-1064.
Ashtabula County grads, see if you can trade your diploma for a Geauga
County one.
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