Randolph's UGT winners reach pinnacle at Air Force level

Published Aug. 29, 2012
By Robert Goetz
Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- Six months after placing first in their categories in Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Youth Programs' You Got Talent (UGT) Family and Teen Talent Contest, three young performers are tops in the Air Force and await an opportunity to perform with the Tops in Blue entertainment troupe.

Fifteen-year-old Jazmine White, a Steele High School sophomore, earned first place in the teen vocal category, and brother-sister duo Logan and Katryna Marttala finished first in the pre-teen group category in this year's Air Force Nell Buckley Performing Arts Series UGT contest.

The students learned of their accomplishment Aug. 24 when Karen Rudolph, 902nd Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Services Flight chief, surprised them with an announcement at youth programs' End of Summer Bash.

"We are incredibly proud of our youth UGT winners," Andrea Black, youth programs coordinator, said. "I thought our contest in February was by far the best we've had."

She said a panel of professional entertainers selected by the Tops in Blue staff reviewed and judged videos submitted by base-level winners throughout the Air Force and chose first-, second- and third-place finishers in eight categories.

Jazmine, the daughter of retired Master Sgt. James and Cheryl White, sang the Demi Lovato hit, "Fix a Heart." A competitor in gymnastics and a member of Randolph High School's choir her freshman year, she earned a place in the region choir.

The children of retired Col. Dave and Lisa Marttala, Katryna and Logan teamed up to perform Adele's "Set Fire to the Rain." Katryna sang the tune while Logan accompanied her on guitar.

"We found out about the contest from our dad in January and practiced every day for about an hour and a half," Katryna said.

Katryna, a student at Corbett Junior High School, said she has been singing since she was 3 years old. Logan, who attends Schlather Intermediate School, has been playing guitar since he was 6 years old.

Jazmine, Katryna and Logan were awarded certificates and gift cards and are scheduled to perform with Tops in Blue during their next local performance.

The Air Force Services Agency conducts the UGT competition annually to "provide additional opportunities for families and youth to participate jointly in a recreational/educational activity, contribute to developing creative expression, provide the opportunity for the development of meaningful relationships with peers and adults and develop an appreciation of the arts."