- December 8, 2025
Shining Stars participants perform the YMCA on stage. Photo by Paige Wilson
John Hearn plays his guitar. Photo by Paige Wilson
Shoshana Ravede performs a routine to "It's the Hard Knock Life" from "Annie" with emcee Mariah Zirkelbach. Photo by Paige Wilson
Zoe Katz curtsies after getting crowned. Photo by Paige Wilson
Kira Lyman sings "Roar" by Katy Perry. Photo by Paige Wilson
Emcee Mariah Zirkelbach asks Cole Rivera pageant-style questions. Photo by Paige Wilson
Tommy Fager shows off his dance skills. He was also one of the emcees at the pageant. Photo by Paige Wilson
Ashley McMahon and Kira Lyman hug after getting crowned. Photo by Paige Wilson
Shoshana Ravede takes a bow next to her piano teacher after playing Yankee Doodle Dandy on a keyboard. Photo by Paige Wilson
Ava Gonzalez plays the piano on her phone, which is projected through the speaker on stage. Photo by Paige Wilson
For the 19th year, the Shining Stars Pageant gave locals with special needs a platform to express their talents like singing, dancing and playing the piano.
Filling the stage at Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, 28 participants in Ormond Beach’s Department of Leisure Services Special Populations Division showcased their talents and answered pageant-style questions on Saturday, March 10.
Nova Community Center and Special Divisions Populations Coordinator Lori Koplin has been working with the pageant for about 10 years.
“It’s exciting to watch them overcome the challenges and reach their goals,” she said.
She added that getting on stage takes a lot of courage for some of the participants, but it’s rewarding.
Koplin said this year, they revamped the pageant’s format to include onstage questions, including favorite characters and role models, to give the participants more stage time.
Four age groups, ranging from little kids to young adults to middle-aged to senior citizens, performed and were crowned, showing the diversity of the area.
Koplin said that in addition to helping the participants get out of their shells to enjoy the spotlight, the pageant is also a way for the parents to see their children perform and showcase their many abilities.
“Shoshana was barely able to walk when she started,” Koplin said. “She was so excited to perform the song from ‘Annie’ this year. John Hearn is kind of the same way. He was not very spoken as a child. He surprised me singing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ this year. He knew all the words.”
Visit OrmondBeach.org for upcoming events.
