Lynn girl takes top prize in singing competition

LYNN – Winning “La Voz Kids” proved no problem for 11-year-old Amanda Mena, who took home the grand prize after singing Ariana Grande’s song, “Problem.””It’s amazing,” said Cobbet School Principal Susanne Garrity. “We are so happy for her and so proud of her.”Amanda is a fifth-grader at the Franklin Street school, and Garrity said everyone has been pulling for her since she landed on the show.”La Voz Kids” is the children’s version of “La Voz,” the Spanish version of the talent show “The Voice.” Amanda was chosen from thousands of kids ages 8 to 14 who auditioned for the show. She got off to a great start when she received a standing ovation from all three judges during the blind audition where she sang the Kelly Clarkson song “Because of You.”Amanda also sang Beyonce’s “Halo” and Michael Jackson’s “I’ll Be There” and participated in group numbers until it all came down to three finalists.Garrity said she, along with most of the staff and students in the school, has been following Amanda’s progress.”We’ve all been voting for her. ? I’ve had everyone on the planet vote for her,” she said. “She has such a beautiful voice and she loves to sing. She likes to sing for her mother.”Gregg Ellenberg, associate director of the Lynn YMCA, said that is one of the wonderful things about Amanda is that she sings because she loves to, not for fame or glory.Amanda and her family, who are originally from the Dominican Republic, have been a part of the YMCA family since Amanda was 6, Ellenberg said. Along with participating in youth programs, she also worked with Helder Tsinine, who runs the Lynn Music Studio Clubhouse, which is where Amanda recorded her audition tape. Ellenberg said he received a call from Amanda on Monday thanking everyone for their support.”It’s been really exciting to watch the whole process,” Ellenberg said. “We always knew she had this kind of raw talent.”He said Amanda has participated in open microphone nights at the YMCA, the Lynn Out Loud program put on each year in City Hall and other events, but she has always been unpretentious about her talent. According to a press release from the Telemundo Network, it is Amanda’s parents who instilled in her the idea that dreams can come true if one works hard and remains humble.Ellenberg said he doubts that she has truly grasped what it means that she won.Her grand prize includes a recording contract with Universal Music Latin Group, a $50,000 scholarship from AT&T and a $10,000 cash prize from the Chrysler Corp.When Amanda first heard her name called, she thanked God first, then the public who voted then her coaches and teachers. Ellenberg said he was impressed with the way she carried herself on the show and that she always seemed as if she was having fun. He said they try and instill that message with all the kids they work with and mentor, to take things seriously but also to keep it fun.Garrity said the best thing about Amanda’s win is that she is simply a nice girl and deserves the accolades she is getting.”She is just a good person,” she said. “She is very humble about her gift and her parents are just fabulous.”The family is still in Florida and could not be reached for comment.Garrity said she expects Amanda to be back in school before the end of the school year, but she is not sure when. Superintendent Catherine Latham helped set things up so Amanda could continue with lessons while she was in the competition and not fall behind.”When she comes back, we’ll have a welcome celebration,” Garrity said. “I’m so happy for her.”