San Antonio Youngsters Sweep Pocket’s Next Big Star 2008

San Antonio, TX (May 19, 2008)- Tatiana Johnson, 13, one of 6 semi-finalists in Pocket’s Next Big Star singing competition, took to the stage in San Antonio Sunday night and belted out “You’re Gonna Love Me” from the Dream Girls’s soundtrack. In the end, the judges did love her, awarding her the title of Pocket’s Next Big Star 2008.

Johnson, who is homeschooled in San Antonio and earned her way into the finals via previous rounds in the Rio Grande Valley, won a $10,000 scholarship, plus a $1,250 gift card from Junior Fashion Retailer A’GACI. 1st Runner up La Tandra Joyner, 17, from San Antonio’s Roosevelt High School won a $5,000 scholarship and $750 A’GACI gift card; 2nd Runner up Rudi Alizah, 12, of Eisenhower Middle School won a $2,000 scholarship and a $500 A’GACI gift card.

Johnson says she’ll use her scholarship to study graphic design, and plans to continue pursuing her dreams of a singing career.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the non-profit youth in arts program Network for Young Artists and the Carver Community Cultural Center. Special performers at the event included American Idol finalist Haley Scarnato and Grammy award winner Rebecca Valadez. Erika Gonzaba sent her heartfelt wishes to contestants after a last minute conflict prevented her from performing at the event.

Pocket Communications, Texas’ fastest-growing wireless company, is joining Red McCombs Automotive Group and Junior Fashion retailer A’GACI in sponsoring Pocket’s Next Big Star 2008, a competition for young singers between the ages of 11 and 18. More than 1,000 children auditioned for the opportunity to make it to the finals.

Throughout the competition, which included a series of elimination rounds in the Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio and Laredo, Pocket’s Next Big Star awarded more than $25,000 in cash and prizes.