Pulse: Cyclist semi-finalist on America’s Got Talent

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Bertha Mengedoth poses with councilman Steve Chirico and Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce President John Schmitt (right) during her 105th birthday celebration Aug. 1 at Independence Village. | Submitted

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Updated: November 30, 2011 12:20AM

Matt Wilhelm of Aurora submitted a You Tube entry for Season 6 of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” and was selected a Top 20 Finalist from the thousands of videos submitted. His original You Tube submission can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=
x2lrrm_LkQ.

Receiving the most votes on You Tube, he competed along with 12 of the 20 finalists live Aug. 9 and 10 on the show.

His performance mesmerized the audience — it appeared that a red bike was floating across the stage without a rider. Cheers were heard throughout his performance.

“America’s Got Talent” judge Sharon Osbourne referred to Wilhelm’s bike as his dance partner. Judge Howie Mandel said America never gets it wrong, and there is a reason Wilhelm received the most votes of any one else on You Tube. Even the show’s perceived toughest judge Piers Morgan said that Wilhelm’s cell phone video submission just might have taken him closer to a million bucks.

After positive comments from all three judges and thousands of votes from the viewers, Wilhelm has been selected a semi-finalist. He will compete for the million-dollar prize and potential stardom Aug. 23 or 30.

His Aug. 9 performance, which earned him a spot in the semi-finals, can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHRQGmee1pc.

Wilhelm has earned two national titles, three medals from the X-Games, and a silver medal from the World Championships for his biking accomplishments. He is one of the Top 10 Pros in the World and has performed for the Chicago Bulls half-time shows, Universal Studios in Orlando, and delivers anti-bullying messages to more than 300 schools per year. He travels nationally and worldwide to spread the message of perseverance.

School spirit

Glocksen to help Neuqua start year

Gina Glocksen will be part of the musical entertainment when Neuqua Valley High School celebrates back to school with a fall party Sept. 10. Hosted by Julian from B96 radio, the Neuqua Valley Fall Bash also will feature A Rocket
to the Moon, The New Epidemic and numerous other musical acts.

When Glocksen was approached to take part in the event, she said she didn’t think twice.

“I love Neuqua because my husband (Joe Ruzicka) is a teacher there,” Glocksen said. “So anything he gets me involved with there I’ll do in a heartbeat.”

Glocksen, along with her band, with perform a short set of about 12 songs. The music, according to Glocksen, will be a mixture of dance songs for the students, and older tunes, like Bon Jovi and U2 for the teachers.

This event is also commemorating the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11. Attendees are encouraged to donate items to Operation Support our Troops.

The Neuqua Valley Fall Bash will be from 4 to 10 p.m. Sept. 10 in the main gymnasium. Tickets are $20 and will be sold starting Aug. 24 at Jersey Mike’s Subs locations at 2555 W. 75th St. in Naperville and 1147 N. Eola Road in Aurora. Everyone in attendance must have a valid Waubonsie, Metea or Neuqua Valley high school ID for admittance.

Yoga champions

Mother, daughter head to nationals

A mother-daughter duo will go to the USA Yoga National Championship after placing in the top two at the 2011 Illinois Yoga Asana Championships Illinois last weekend at North Central College. Haiping Yu and her daughter Cindy Qi finished second and first, respectively, in their divisions.

“(Cindy’s) really excited,” Haiping said. “She thinks it’s so cool that a mother and daughter can go together.”

While Haiping has been practicing yoga for years, her daughter, who will be a sophomore at Neuqua Valley High School, had tried it when she was 10 and decided she did not like it. According to Haiping, last year Cindy decided she would give it another try.

“I think she saw the change in me and started her interest again,” said Haiping, who also competed in the Illinois Championships last year but did not place. “(We’re) just trying to inspire other people.”

Other winners from Naperville include Chad Nielsen, third place in the men’s division, and Lilliana Gourley, second place in the girls youth division.

Support troops

House Speaker
meets with veterans

One Iraq veteran got a chance to speak his mind to someone who just might have the chance to make a difference in the long run.

Operation Support Our Troops — America member Zach Arnold spoke with House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) recently during a tour of the group’s Lisle warehouse.

“I was shocked when Deb (Rickert) asked me to come and meet with the speaker,” Arnold said. “Then for him to take the time to really talk with me helped me to feel that he cared about my concerns.”

Boehner was especially interested in hearing from Arnold, who lost his leg while serving in Iraq.

“We are a nation at war, and thanks to groups like Operation Support Our Troops — America, our men and women in uniform and their families know that the American people are completely behind them,” Boehner said.

Rickert, president and founder of OSOT America, said Boehner’s visit was a good opportunity for the Naperville-based organization.

“The speaker was really interested in seeing what we were doing to make a difference and hearing about the concerns of local military families,” Rickert said. “It was a great opportunity
for us to express our vision that all of America be invested in our troops and
their well being.”

Operation Support Our Troops — America was founded in 2003.

Happy Birthday

105th celebration best ever for Bertha

Bertha Mengedoth has had a lot of birthdays, but she said this one “was the best.”

The Naperville resident celebrated her 105th on Aug. 1, complete with a surprise party thrown by friends and staff at Independence Village.

Mengedoth said her favorite part of the celebration was talking with residents she hadn’t met before and those she doesn’t see very often. The party was made complete by a surprise visit from her nephew and best friend.

Erica Lorenz of Independence Village said, for Bertha’s big day, they reviewed things that have happened since her birth in 1906.

“She loved the presentation, and she was laughing at how much has changed since then,” Lorenz said.

And what about the wish when she blew out the candles?

“All she would tell me about her wish was that it was a good one,” Lorenz said.

Fundraising fun

Dancing with
Celebrities sold out

If you were planning to go to the Community Career Center’s Dancing with the Celebrities on Sept. 14, you’re too late. Organizers say the 15th annual fundraiser at Meson Sabika is sold out.

“We knew that it would sell out,” Director Kimberly White said. “We have some pretty star-studded names.”

What she wasn’t expecting was it selling out in just 2 1/2 weeks.

“I thought we’d at least get to the end of August,” she said.

Celebrity dance performers include State Rep. Mike Connelly, (R-Lisle); Edward Hospital CEO Pam Davis; Raffi’s on 5th owner Raffi Demerdjian; McDonald’s USA Senior Director Jacquelyn Howard; Nadja Lalvani, community relations manager for the city of Naperville; Assistant City Manager Bob Marshall; NCTV17 anchor Dolly McCarthy; and Try Smith of GM and Sullivan’s Steakhouse.

Of course, the nonprofit will still take donations to help job seekers in the community. Call 630-961-5665.

Got Pulse? Send tips to hpfundstein@
stmedianetwork.com.