Surprise Senior Idol

Singers, musicians and a lone dancer competed in the third annual Surprise Senior Idol on Wednesday. But it was an unemployed pharmacy technician who stole the show with his rendition of “This is the Moment.” Elroy Paredes of Sun City West gave a powerful performance that inspired thunderous applause. There were four awards given to acknowledge the best of the 22 competitors: Paredes won the singing competition, Rose Ann Russo of Sun City won the dancing division with her performance of “Daddy’s Money.” Mike Burlaka of Peoria won the karaoke division with his rendition of “Summer Wind” and D.J. Jones of Surprise won the “other” category with a comedy routine and musical number performed with Bonnie Stenzel of Corte Bella. Surprise Senior Center played host to the event sponsored by SecureHorizons. It drew a crowd of 400 to the auditorium of Willow Canyon High School in Surprise.