12-year-old wins Geneva's Got Talent contest with 'Live Out Loud'

Lilly Nowak from Geneva was named the fourth annual Geneva's Got Talent winner on June 27. She performed "Live Out Loud" from the musical "A Little Princess."

The 12-year-old dreams of being on Broadway. She just completed sixth grade at Geneva Middle School South and is enrolled in voice and guitar classes at Sounds Like Music. On June 28, Lilly accompanied Sounds Like Music on their float in the Geneva Swedish Days parade. She is passionate about her family, friends and theater.

"We are thrilled! We are from Geneva and have attended Geneva's Got Talent every year and it is so amazing that Lilly competed and won," said her mother, Debra Nowak.

Geneva's Got Talent started with contestants auditioning May, 16.

The semifinalists were chosen and went on to perform June 24 on Swedish Days Central Stage. Judges votes combined with Facebook votes carried the following 10 contestants to the finals.

The finalists were: Aliya Starks, DDA Dancers, Dina Bach, Emily Schmid, Emma Pettyjohn, Fire the Canon, Future Rockettes, Kayla Tejero, Lilly Nowak and Megan Styrna.

The Geneva Chamber of Commerce and the Geneva Park District congratulates Lilly Nowak and thanks all the talented contestants. Also appreciated are all the judges and our emcees who contributed to this great community event.

"We look forward to seeing even more talent audition for the 2016 Geneva's Got Talent. This event was exciting and a great way to bring the community together for free summer fun," said Traci Wicks, director of marketing and public relations for Geneva Park District.

Geneva's Got Talent is a collaboration between the Geneva Park District and the Geneva Chamber of Commerce. It was part of the 2015 Swedish Days Festival presented by Northwestern Medicine. For more information about Geneva Chamber of Commerce visit genevachamber.com or about the Geneva Park District, visit genevaparks.org.