Twelve to contend for 2015 Operation Rising Star title

By Mr. Robert Dozier, IMCOMNovember 24, 2015

INBRIEF
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT SAM HOUSTON (Nov. 23, 2015) -- The stage is set for Soldiers, spouses and civilians to sing their way to the title of "2015 Operation Rising Star" in the Army's world-wide competition. Twelve finalists chosen from various auditions are in San Antonio to prepare for Army Entertainment's series of four shows designed to showcase their vocal talents.

Spc. Pha Xiong was the local winner at Fort Hood and plans to express his feelings toward his fellow competitors in his go-to song "Open Arms" by the rock band Journey.

"When I was deployed in Afghanistan in a small FOB, there were times of sadness and loneliness, especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas," said Xiong. "We made it through and back home. In these times, (I say) let the world hear your voice. It will bring happiness and inspire."

Operation Rising Star will be performed in the Fort Sam Houston Theatre in front of a live audience, and taped for broadcast on http://www.OpRisingStar.com. Fans and critics will select or eliminate all but the best through online viewing and voting.

Admission to the shows is free and the competition finals are scheduled for Nov. 28, Nov. 30 and Dec. 2. Fans from garrisons and installations will get an opportunity to view the performances online and vote after each show. All the contestants will return for a concluding show on Dec. 4 to reveal the winner of 2015 Operation Rising Star.

Candidates for this year's show are amateurs selected during programmed events held at Army facilities throughout the year. Winners from these events around the globe were then allowed to apply for the national show.

Three contestants come to the competition from South Korea.

Sgt. Clayzella Butler is a medic at Camp Casey, USAG Red Cloud, and has spent 10 years serving the Army. She sings to relieve stresses and aggravations.

"Gospel is where my heart is. It addresses strength in life, but I'll be competing with pop music," said Butler. "I'm thankful the Army thought enough of the Soldiers to put this show together. It has become a means to develop a talent that I didn't know I had."

Capt. Cydnia Jackson, from Raleigh, NC, is stationed at Camp Humphreys as a Senior Human Resources Officer and had to jump through hoops to bring her competitive spirit to the competition.

"My boss had three conditions for me, before I could leave: connectivity, telephony and 'find someone willing to sit in my place' but I met all these and so I'm here doing this," said Jackson. "Our mission in the Army is to 'defend and serve,' and the work is hard, but Operation Rising Star shows it doesn't have to always be. Now that I'm here, it's 'step your game up' 'cause I want to win."

By rule, contestants can be active duty from any branch of service, or a family member at least 18 years old and eligible to be a patron at an MWR facility.

The third contestant from Korea is Tech. Sgt. Candice Fagan, an intelligence analyst from USAG Yongsan.

"Your dreams don't stop with responsibility," said Fagan. "I wanted to be a singer, but I didn't achieve what my youthful heart wanted. Just because you don't meet your goal doesn't mean you have to stop. Op Rising Star is another chance for me. You may be delayed, but not denied."

Petty Officer 1st Class Steven D. Powell is a Navy recruiter with 15 years' experience at Pleasant Hill, Calif.

"A friend of mine, retired Air Force, told me about Op Rising Star," said Powell. "They said 'you have to do this' and I asked 'what is this?' I went on the website (http://www.OpRisingStar.com) and submitted a video audition, so I am here; a very happy guy. Music is my passion and this is a great opportunity to do what I love."

This is the 11th annual competition conducted primarily at Morale, Welfare and Recreation centers and facilities on Army garrisons. MWR programs are part of the Army's effort to promote the readiness and resilience of our all-volunteer service, for Soldiers, Civilians, Families and Retirees.

Air Force spouse Chelsea Tabisz comes to the competition from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

"I love to sing and saw an ad at the gym," said Tabisz, an Air Force veteran who served three years as a vocalist in the Air Force band. "I've got four children at home with Dad. He's active duty Air Force. It's an odd thing for Mom to be away. We've dealt with Dad being gone, so this is new and different. I want them to see me perform and I want to thank them for finding the strength to be strong while I'm away."

Army MWR brings Child, Youth and School Services, Family Programs, Soldier Programs & Community Recreation, and Armed Forces Recreation Centers, among others, to Soldiers and their Families where they are stationed or deployed. MWR professionals work hard to provide programs and services which boost morale to all patrons.

Army spouse Melinda Way-Bonner, from Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif., is a special event coordinator with MWR.

"Never in my life did I expect to be here," said an astonished Way-Bonner, who is also a nine-year Army veteran. "I like to sing at church and this type of competition is unfamiliar to me. I didn't really think it through. Now I hope that from the music, I can provoke praise and worship."

Like many aspects of life, singers often need encouragement from others to take the time to enter Op Rising Star. Three female Soldiers were reluctant but then nudged into auditions and rewarded by being selected as alternatives from winners who were unable to make the trip this season.

Pfc. Nizika Wilson, a "92 Whiskey" (Water Purification Specialist) from Fort Irwin, Calif., sees herself as quiet and shy and had to be encouraged to compete.

"Even though I'd seen the show at Fort Sam Houston Theatre when I was in school there, I didn't really know about the competition," said Wilson, originally from Grenada. "Everyone knew I loved to sing, but my friends pushed me to do it. I didn't really think I was going to get it. I'm really thankful to be here."

Spc. Chyanna Dresden from Joint Base Lewis-McChord is a "94 Yankee" (Integrated Family of Test Equipment, Operator/Maintainer), received her encouragement from her NCO support chain.

"In AIT my platoon sergeant saw me playing guitar and said 'you need to try out,'" said Dresden. "My boyfriend is fully supportive and said 'go and do what you do.' My Mom is excited. My Dad always encouraged me. He has passed away, but if he were here, he would say 'just be yourself, I support you no matter what.'"

Spc. Xochilt Ramirez-Luna comes to Op Rising Star from Fort Riley, Kansas, and learned about the competition from the 2014 winner Sgt. Christiana Ball.

"During basic training, my drill sergeant [Ball] told me it was a really big deal," said Ramirez-Luna. "This year the dates worked out so I submitted a video for fun. I used to hate singing in front of people until I did the National Anthem at basic. I'll be singing for my husband who always attends my performances and is there to boost me."

Sgt. Robert Gulley comes to the competition from Sembach Air Base, Germany and is a guitar player in the USAREUR Band and Chorus. He won a local-level competition to get his ticket to the finals, but he, too, had to be encouraged to try out.

"I've been in the Army band for 15 years and love rock and blues," said Gulley. "My wife Megan was saw an ad for Op Rising Star on the Armed Forces Network. I told her 'no' for about a week but eventually changed my mind. Music is important to me, coming from a family of musicians. My father is the bass player for Bill Medley (one half of the singing group The Righteous Brothers). I'm happy my unit afforded me this opportunity. To my wife I say 'I love you. It's hard to be alone, but everyone is great. Wish you were here.'"

Army spouse Isabella Robin is from Vilseck, USAG Bavaria, Germany.

"I heard it on the radio but wasn't thinking about it until I saw a sign," said Robin. "I love music for the satisfaction it gives me, it makes me happy. There is always a song for every emotion. For the Soldiers serving overseas and deployed, I wish you could be here. I hope you have a good time (watching the competition) and I hope my singing will bring us closer together."

The winner of the 2015 Operation Rising Star Finals will receive an all-expense paid trip to record a three-song demo at a location selected by Army Entertainment. The trip for the winner and a guest will include airfare, lodging and three days of studio time plus $1,000 spending cash. Second and third place winners also receive a cash award.

The U.S. Army Installation Management Command, headquarters element for the Army Entertainment Division, will announce the 2015 winner at the end of the fourth show.

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