WELCOME HOME NATIVE OMAHANS The Omaha Days Homecoming King & Queen talent competition was created to supply an additional venue & platform for young performers in the Omaha area to display their talents. ABOUT OUR CONTESTANTS: PLATINUM DANZIE: Daughter of Kenneth Danzie of St. Louis, MO and Debra Morgan-Danzie who was born and raised in Omaha.  Platinum had been behind the scenes writing music until 2008 when she hooked up with Live Wirez Entertainment in St. Lous.  In the group she was the only female and vocalist.  This is her first live performance in Omaha. Platinum is a full time student at Metro South studying Criminal Justice.  Music is a big part of her life and she hopes you enjoy the talent she loves as much as she does. CORNELIUS J. SMITH:  Born and raised in Omaha, NE Cornelius is the son of Ethel Smith and James Thomas.  Raised in the church all his life and currently the Minister of Music and President of the Ushers/Nurses Auxiliary at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Doyle H, Bryant, Jr.  Cornelius has participated in the NAACP ACT-SO Competition where he placed second.  Cornelius has also participated in the Dr. King Unity Choir along with other Gospel Choirs around the city.  Cornelius loves to speak, loves to direct and loves to sing. ‘ TYNIKKA SMITH:  Born April 24,1996, Tynikka has had a big voice since she was six.  No one really knew about it.  Her dream has been the same since then and it’s never going to change.  Singing is her passion, she lives and breathes music.  Tynikka says “It’s a beautiful blessing God has given me.” MONTRELL JOHNSON:  An Omaha Native, Montrell grew up in he church.  “Singing is my first love... and nothing makes me happier than to share my gift with the world.”  Montrell has opened for Shirley Ceaser, Smokie Nortul, Beverly Crawford and many more,  His desire isn’t to gain fame and fortune, but to be remembered as a musical instrument used by God. DOMINIQUE EDWARDS:  Daughter of Terrill and Karen Edwards, Dominique is a Central High School Senior and life long resident of North Omaha.  Dominique is the Varsity Cheer Captain, Senior Class Secretary and a Member of the National Honor Society, FBLA Secretary and was one of 405 students selected district wide for the UNO Summer Scholars program.  Dominque’s dream is that her experience launching the House of IMOD will prepare her for a future as an international icon of fashion and merchandising.  Dominique is dedicating her performance to all the victims of domestic violence. JAMAR TRIPLETT:  Son of Abe and Joyce Triplett, Jamar  loves Lil Boosie, TI, Trae, Zro and NAS... oh and Immoral Technique.  Jamar says he is starting to get into alternative rock and soft rock because they actually have important messages in their music... “but there is nothing better than Old School music... Isley Brothers, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Prince and I can go on forever.” E RAWQ: Has been playing music since he was 15 years old.  Most of his influences are derived from the musicians that have mastered R&B and Pop, two musical genres that E Rawq has worked to make his mark in. SHANNON WHITLEY:  Shannon is a graduate of Benson High school and says poetry is her life.  Shannon is a Journalism and Psychology student at Metro South.  She lives under the motto “If you speak good things upon your life thats exactly what you will recieve..every morning i speak to myself and say "You are a Beautiful Strong Black Woman ... Never forget that When you face the day's challenges and lifes battle.."   One of her favorite writers is Maya Angelou ABOUT OUR JUDGES: PORTIA LOVE:  Owner of "Just Write 4 Me." Portia writes requested special poems upon request and beautifully frames them, Portia was the lead singer for the band with her father (Preston Love) for 9 years, and has sang with different groups throughout the city of Omaha. Portia read poetry and conducted a workshop at Joslyn Art Museum, in Omaha, to coordinate with the jazz paintings, entitled “Portraits of Music I Love,” by world-renowned artist, Frederick J. Brown and was the opening poet for the fourth annual Malcolm X Poetry Festival at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, which also featured Jane Cortez, a New York poet and playwright.  Portia also taught poetry classes for a number of organizations including the Boys and Girls Clubs and Girls, Inc. where one of her students from this class received a college scholarship for winning 2nd place in a national contest with Portia’s assistance.  Portia was the featured writer in the June, 2005, Fine Lines, a national, quarterly, creative writing journal and has published a poem and short story in Creighton University’s literary magazine, Shadows and she won an award from Creighton for her short story, “Stories My Grandmother Told Me.” DION LAWSON:  Owner of 3 Times Real Entertainment, Dion was born in Omaha Nebraska.  He graduated from Northwest High School and is currently pursuing an IT Degree at Ashworth University.  After graduating high school Dion moved to Seattle Washington were he began to perform and collaborated with various entertainment companies as a music producer. In 2003 Dion started to apply all his  music expertise with video production to make independent home films. While producing short films he began to take on another field (the art of Photography) by taking pictures of local models, musicians, shows and artists. In 2007 Dion Worked for A.V.P  as Project Manager which allowed him to use his audio and video skills. During this time Dion studied at  Ceritech in Overland Park Kansas and became a certified Audio and Video Technician. Dion used his knowledge in the community by setting up sound/video for Safe Haven Community Center and Turning Point.  Dion is currently working with Jazz Musician George Walker & 2010 Emmy Award-winning movie director Omowale Akintunde on projects and looking to sign 3 artist to his label.  Dion's 3 Times Real studio provides technical expertise he takes pride in anticipating and exceeding clients' needs with professionalism and discretion. DELORES MATTHEWS:  A recording artist since 1976, Delores has performed opening acts for greats like Shirley Caesar, the Five Blind Boys of Alabama, the late John Denver, the Williams Brothers, and Timothy Wright, Delores has also appeared on the  Bobby Jones Show, worked in Germany as a touring Music Director and Gospel Music Clinician.   Delores is Music Director for “To Kill A Mockingbird” at in St. Paul, MN in 2011 version.   At the Boys Town Father Flanagan High School of Omaha, Delores taught voice, piano, drill team, and dance.  Delores is a longtime artist with the internationally known GMWA (Gospel Music Workshop of America) Convention as an Alto section leader for the sometimes 3,000 voice Mass Choir and serves on its Academic Division.  She organized the Youth Division of the Nebraska Chapter and has served as past Minister of Music of the Minnesota Twin Cities Chapter of GMWA.  Some of her performance/teaching contributions in the area of gospel music can be found on file at the Nebraska Historical Society in Lincoln, NE.  Delores has written “The Choir’s Handbook” which can be used to put together a choir or an entire music department.  Congratulations! 2011 Omaha Days Homecoming King & Queen Judges:  Thank you! for a Job well done!