Megan Hilty Hosts KC SuperStar High School Singing Competition Finals This Sunday

KC SuperStar 2018 is just weeks away with the excitement building to see who will win the high school singing competition sponsored annually by the Jewish Community Center. The Finals will take place Sunday evening, Aug. 26, at Yardley Hall at Johnson County Community College. Broadway, TV and Film Superstar Megan Hilty will host KC SuperStar Finals and perform a musical number with the finalists during the high-energy show.

The 10 finalists* are busy rehearsing as The J staff focuses on pulling together the dozens of details needed to pull off the event without a hitch.

Working diligently behind the scenes of The J's largest fundraiser ensuring its success are Shanny and Eric Morgenstern, the event's co-chairs. Taking on big projects comes naturally to this Jewish power couple. In addition to their KC SuperStar roles, both Morgensterns have been involved with The J for a number of years. Shanny currently serves as first vice chair of The J's board. Eric served on The J's board for nine years and held numerous leadership positions, including Vice-President.

The Morgensterns have also been involved with Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City. Shanny served as president for Women's Philanthropy and Treasurer of the Jewish Federation. Eric's volunteer work with Federation included co-chairing an Israel mission as well as serving as a vice president, marketing chair and other leadership roles.

While Shanny has focused her volunteer efforts within the Jewish community, Eric has expanded his to the general community. Currently, Eric serves as the communications chair for KC Rising and on the board of Turn The Page KC. He is also a member of the advisory board of the University of Kansas' Journalism School IMC Master's program and KU's J-School Generations. In addition, Eric has loaned his expertise to the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce's board.

Professionally, the Morgensterns work as a team with Morningstar Communications, a strategic marketing consulting firm they founded in 1997. Eric is CEO and Shanny serves as COO. Pooling their significant strengths, the Morgensterns have built the award-winning company that is a leader in its field. The Morgensterns are Congregation Beth Torah members and the proud parents of two grown sons, who spent lots of time at The J over the years.

The Morgensterns' lifelong connection to The J made them the natural choice to chair this year's KC SuperStar effort.

"We met when we were 15 and 14 at a J-sponsored program. Our kids are proud graduates of CDC and benefitted from many J activities," Shanny said. "It's great to be able to support this organization that has meant so much to us. We love working with the dedicated and passionate people on the entire team."

"KC Superstar helps the J achieve two significant goals," Eric said. "First, the more than $1 million we raise goes to providing scholarships to people so they can attend J programs," he said. "This event helps thousands of Kansas Ciitians have a positive experience with The J. In addition, for the 1,100 who will be joining us on at the Finals, KC SuperStar promises to be an uplifting and entertaining evening."

For more information about KC SuperStar, please visit www.kcsuperstar.org; please check out the Facebook page as well at https://www.facebook.com/groups/kcsuperstar/.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos