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All credit to Moville's Melissa
18.01.10
by Kevin Kelly, Inishowen Independent
LOCAL stars of the future were out in force recently
at the Glenavon House Hotel in Cookstown when the
final of the Credit Union CU Factor competition took
place. Fifteen talented young vocalists took to the
stage to battle it out for the £1,000 top prize.
Representing Foyle Credit Union was Moville’s
Melissa Craig who scooped second place and £500 in
the hotly-contested competition. On the night,
Melissa performed a stunning rendition of 'Think of
Me' from Phantom of the Opera.
Speaking to the Inishowen Independent, a jubilant
Melissa said: “It was a great honour to come second
on Saturday night as the competition was very tough.
I found the experience very nerve wracking as it was
the first time I had performed in front of judges
who publicly commented on my performance
afterwards.” |
Melissa is a transition
year student in Moville Community College and
regularly takes part in both Scór na nÓg and
feiseanna. Walking off with £500 on the night for
her efforts she added: “Performing is something
which I enjoy and I hope to continue with it after I
finish school.”
The event was hosted by radio and television
presenter Conor Phillips; five judges presided over
the evening’s entertainment: Malachi Cush, Tina
Calder, Muriel Day, |
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Meta Bell and Malcolm
McDowell.
Melissa is the daughter of Paddy and Philomena Craig
and there is a long running musical tradition in the
Craig family.
“I am really delighted for her; it’s a great
achievement for her personally as well as it being
brilliant for the Foyle Credit Union,” said chuffed
mum Philomena. “Melissa was the only Donegal person
taking part in the competition on Saturday night and
she did us proud.”
Other winners on the night included Shake the
Glitter (Ardboe and Pomeroy Credit Unions), a female
trio who performed ‘Proud Mary' and Niamh Furey (Pennyburn
Credit Union) who sang crowd pleaser ‘Don’t Stop
Believing’ by Journey.
The CU Factor competition represented a joint effort
from the five chapters of the Credit Union in the
North and was developed to raise awareness among
young people of the Credit Union. It is now hoped to
make it a permanent event in the years ahead. |
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