As drums played loudly with anticipation, ‘22 alumna Cara Parisi felt intense emotions of excitement and happiness as she was announced the winner of the 2022 KC SuperStar Contest. 

Parisi has participated in this competition for the past three years, but won the $10,000 scholarship for the first time in her final effort.

“When I won it was really exciting, but I really couldn’t hear them say my name because the drums were going very loudly in the background,” Parisi said. “It was super fun, and I felt grateful.” 

KC SuperStar, the Jewish Community Center’s annual fundraiser, raised over $1.3 million this year in its 13th year. Funds from KC SuperStar aid in providing access to quality meals, developmental programs in health and fitness and opportunities in the theater for children and families. 

The top ten finalists perform their solo pieces and a group number — matching their song choices with the theme for that year. With a Broadway theme this year, Parisi sang “Fly Fly Away” from the musical “Catch Me If You Can” as she felt she could add her own touch to the song and showcase her individuality as a vocalist. 

“I just love the song and thought I could add my own cool embellishments to it,” Parisi said. 

Parisi currently attends the University of Alabama-Birmingham, where she studies musical theater. She has put her scholarship towards her school tuition. According to Parisi, the performing arts have been an outlet for self-expression and spark an unmatched joy when in front of an audience. 

Currently, Parisi is working on the school’s fall musical, “A New Brain,” and said she cannot wait for what lies ahead. 

“I loved it [the performing arts] from the beginning,” Parisi said. “My favorite part is the feeling that you give the audience, knowing that you made an impact on somebody else’s life doing what you love. It is just something that you can’t replace, that you can’t find anywhere else.”