Written By Sheila Herbst
What has 12-year-old Samantha Pollino, who appeared on the cover of Carroll Magazine’s June/July issue, been doing since she played Emma in the Broadway musical, “Hot Feet?”
“I’m busy and I love it!” Samantha said.
And Samantha has not stopped. After “Hot Feet” folded, Samantha barely had time to put her feet up before new opportunities came knocking. She modeled in another Capezio fashion show (she had already been in one) and was named Capezio’s Rising Star for July 2006. She has been singing, too. She was a featured vocalist, performing “Somewhere over the Rainbow” in the New York City Dance Alliance Finale Jr. Gala, and she also sang in “Paint the Town,” a benefit for Holy Trinity Church.
Of course, Samantha has been dancing, recently performing in two Gospel Hip Hop videos, scheduled to air on the BET channel in the Gospel Sunday lineup. Samantha was also asked back by Sesame Workshop to dance again in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. At the same time, she was touring as Stephanie from “LazyTown” with Jamarama Live!
The East Coast tour played in a different city every weekend. Samantha and her mother, Lisa, left home every Friday afternoon and returned late each Sunday. It sounds hectic, but the schedule was perfect for Samantha, who likes to be home during the week to attend classes at State of the Arts Dance Center in Westminster and North Carroll Middle School in Hampstead.
“It’s harder this year with the high school classes,” said Samantha, who is in an accelerated program that includes advanced algebra and Spanish. But with straight A’s on her report card, she is handling it as she handles everything else, with determination to do her best. She wants to attend college.
“You should always have a backup plan,” said Samantha.
