SINGER Abi Garrido aims to make it in the music industry – thanks to the Pride of South Tyneside Awards.
Winning the Young Performer of the Year category last year made her more determined to follow in the footsteps of previous winners Joe McElderry and Jade Thirlwall.
Both went on to find stardom via The X Factor after winning the award in 2008 and 2010 respectively.
Abi, 15, of Mill Dene View, Jarrow, said: “I do want to take it seriously and hopefully one day enter The X Factor like Joe and Jade, but at the moment, because I am still at school, it is a bit hard.
“It has made me realise if I can win this, I can do big things later on.”
The St Joseph’s RC Comprehensive School pupil was nominated for the award by her aunt, Kerry Sproston, who said: “Abi has a voice that is going to take her places.”
At the time, she had taken part in talent contests, coming second in Jarrow’s Got Talent, and performed at charity events, including the Gazette’s Fashion Show.
Since her win, she has played at Bents Park in South Shields as part of the summer concerts, as well as the South Tyneside Business Awards.
She has also been getting “little gigs” around the area. Abi is now encouraging other young singers, dancers, actors, musicians and comedians to get their entries in.
She said: “Winning the award was amazing. I never expected it with the others who were through, because they were all excellent, but the night was really good.”
Twitter: @shieldsgazette
NOMINATE your heroes now!
Nine awards are up for grabs in the Pride of South Tyneside Awards 2013, as well as the surprise Judges’ Special Award.
The categories are:
* Community Group of the Year
* Achieving Excellence
* Carer of the Year
* Safer Neighbourhoods
* Greener South Tyneside
* Sporting Excellence
* Role Model of the Year
* Young Performer of the Year (under-21s)
* Child of Courage (under-16s)
The deadline for entries, which can be made using the form you can download here, is Thursday, March 14.
The awards ceremony will take place at the Temple Park Centre, South Shields, on the evening of Sunday, April 28.
Young Performer nominees will be invited to take part in a talent showcase at the Customs House on Monday, March 25.
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