Mihichuk tops at ‘Quest’

Heather Mihichuk made her second appearance at “Quest for the Best” pay off, singing her way to first place in the annual event before a crowd of 300 packed into the arena auditorium Friday night.
“I’m surprised that I won,” remarked Mihichuk, who performed “From This Moment” by Shania Twain to snare the $500 prize.
Ironically, she also was a little saddened by taking top honours because that means she cannot compete in “Quest” next year.
“I’m kind of disappointed–I mean, I’m only 15. But next year, they’ll have me open and close the show like Melanie Bodnar did this year,” she explained.
Meanwhile, Debbie Connon, another second-year contender, strutted her way to second place–and $300–with her rousing rendition of “If Your Not in it for Love” by Shania Twain.
“I just went into it thinking, ‘Let’s have a ball,’” she said, revealing the secret of her success. “I thought everybody was very good and the band–they were wonderful.”
Marc Desforges finished third with “Sarah” by Starship to win $200 while Graham Matheson came fourth with his crowd-pleasing performance of Billy Joel’s “Piano Man”–complete with harmonica–to win a CD player.
In fact, Matheson also walked away with the awards for “Audience Participation” and “People’s Choice” for the second half of the three-hour show.
Dave Allison won the “People’s Choice” award for the first half with his version of “Turn the Page” by Bob Seger. Jerry Donaldson earned “Most Original” with “Time of Your Life” by Green Day and Kelly Moulik won the “Contestants’ Choice” award with her rendition of “Look What Love Has Done.”
“I was excited, and I certainly wasn’t expecting it at all,” said Moulik. “I didn’t say anything when I went up to the mike because I was stunned.”
She also admitted she was so nervous she even forgot the bridge of her song. “But luckily nobody noticed,” she laughed.
Desforges won the trip to anywhere in North America in the draw among the 20 contestants (courtesy of Border Travel).
“I think [‘Quest’] turned out really well,” organizer Pearl Pidlubny enthused afterwards. “I’ve gotten a lot of positive comments.”
In fact, tickets to the general public sold out so fast on the first day they went on sale a week ago Monday that Videon Channel 9 aired the show live.
As for next year, Pidlubny noted a few changes may be considered.
“We may have contestants pick four songs they would like to sing and then have the band decide which one it will be,” she said.
A coat check also may be enforced next year, with donations going to the band, she added.
A different facility for the event may also be considered.
“Lazy Bones,” featuring Geoff Gillon, Dave Fostey, Bill Shine, and Myron Hawrylak,” backed up the contestants again this year.