LEWISTON – “This is crazy, absolutely crazy!” Lewiston High School senior Chelsea Hebert said after her name was drawn for the 2009 Shining Stars grand prize of a laptop computer with all the bells and whistles.

Hebert and the other 24 nominees were honored at the 12th annual Lewiston Shining Stars celebration Wednesday evening at Vineyard Christian School auditorium before a crowd of supporters. The nominees, between the ages of 12 and 18, were chosen for their contributions to the community.

Dottie Perham-Whittier, one of the judges, announced the names of the 10 Shining Stars for 2009: Jenny Bergeron, Madeline Blaisdell, Delan Fulgham, Dyandrea Labonte, Jared Benjamin Lussier, Amanda Martin, Kevin E. McArthur, Rahma Odowa, Sarah Patrie and Hebert.

“This evening, we will celebrate 25 nominees,” Mayor Laurent F. Gilbert Sr. told the gathering. “It is also true that 10 of them will be announced as the 2009 Lewiston Shining Stars, but I want each and every one of you to know that regardless of whether you are in that 10 or not, you are highly respected as very dynamic members of the All-America City of Lewiston. Each of you is unique, and each of you have gifts and talents that only you can enrich our world with. All of you deserve a standing ovation, as you are impacting the lives of others in a grand way,” he said.

Special guest, 2004 Shining Star Tucker Adams, now a business administration major at the University of Maine Orono, told the nominees, “You all have demonstrated excellence in leadership and direction for our city, creating a tidal wave of greatness that keeps building in strength and that cannot be stopped. You are tomorrow, and tomorrow is right around the corner, so get ready for it because it is you all that are making the difference in your own special way.”

City Councilor Robert Reed, another 2009 judge, quoted former political and spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi of India: “‘All humanity is one undivided and indivisible family, and each of us is responsible for the misdeeds of all the others.’

“Tonight we celebrate those who chose to take that responsibility upon their shoulders and make the world a better place,” he said. “Any of them could have chosen to spend their time hanging out at the mall or playing Xbox or watching TV. Instead, they chose to go out and make a difference, and for that we gather to recognize their accomplishments.”

The other nominees were Garrett Clark, Kelsey Cope-Norris, Kelsey Cote, Rachel Emond, Stephanie Gagne, Chris Jacques, Holly Lavorgna, Allison Lewandowski, Tyler James Lussier, Brendan McGinley-Tara, Amber C. Ouellette, Nicole M. Pelletier, Torey Anne Reny, Shobow Saban and Rebecca Spilecki. Each received an “In Celebration of Who You Are” certificate and a “Leading the Way” key chain.

The grand prize drawing was done by Russ Donahue, director of marketing for St. Mary’s Health System, which provided the Acer laptop computer with built-in Web cam; HP Office Jet Pro Printer; wireless desktop keyboard and laser mouse; Microsoft Office Home & Student 2007 software; Swiss Gear book bag for the laptop and books; 8 gigabyte flash drive, headset, 100 Sony CD-Rs, USB cables, surge protector and paper.

Gifts for this year’s 10 stars were donated by Lewiston Recreation, Sam’s Italian, Marco’s Restaurant, L.L. Bean and Community Credit Union.

Lewiston High School freshman Mackenzi Masselli, a 2007 shining star, and friend Scott Gagne did a duet of the national anthem.

Judges Nick Knowlton of the GSM Group and Gale Hart of the United Way of Androscoggin County were unable to attend the celebration.

Following a photo session, all nominees were congratulated by Gilbert, City Councilors Larry Poulin, Denis Theriault and Reed, and Deputy City Administrator Phil Nadeau.