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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline OCTOBER 31, 2025 | The Indian Eye 28

NYC Aging Hosts Third

Annual Talent is Timeless Grand Finale

2025 Citywide Competition Spotlights Older New Yorkers’ Artistic Excellence while Challenging Ageism

OUR BUREAU

New York, NY
he NYC Department for the
Aging (NYC Aging), alongside
TMayor Eric Adams, hosted the
2025 Talent is Timeless Grand Finale
on Thursday, October 16 at the his-
toric United Palace theater in Wash-
ington Heights. The theater was filled
with attendees, who cheered on the
22 finalists while moving to the up-
beat music, laughing at the wild jokes,
and joining in on the dance routines.
Now in its third year, Talent is Time-
less has become a hallmark of New
York City’s commitment to fighting
ageism and creating opportunities for
older adults to showcase their abil-
ities. It is a celebration of creativity,
resilience, and the limitless potential
of older New Yorkers.
One-thousand older New York-
ers from across the city took part in this
year’s competition, beginning in May
at local older adult centers, advanc-
ing to regional rounds, boroughwide
rounds, and today’s Grand Finale.
“Our older adults never cease tinue to break barriers, create, and Dacing Overcomer around what it means to grow older
to amaze me,” said New York City inspire,” said New York City Depart- • Audience Choice: Barbara Gray, Sing- in today’s society.”
Mayor Adams. “The passion, artistry, ment for the Aging Commissioner ing Crazy “Our older adult communities
and courage on stage at our annual Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez.“This pro- “For over 60 years, Ponce Bank have once again demonstrated their
‘Talent is Timeless’ competition rep- gram is a reminder that ageism has no has stood alongside the communities talent and creativity, and we’re
resent the very best of New York City place in our city. When older adults we serve, believing in the power of proud to join them and the NYC De-
and is proof that creativity knows take the stage, they show us that imag- people to uplift one another. Talent is partment of the Aging in the Talent
no age limit. I congratulate every ination and expression are timeless.” Timeless speaks to that same belief— is Timeless celebration said Ruth
performer who stepped up to share For the third year in a row ac- recognizing the creativity, wisdom, Fasoldt, Con Edison’s Director of
their gifts and remind us all that old- tor and comedian Jackie Hoffman and lasting impact of older adults in Government and Community Re-
er New Yorkers are essential to the served as the emcee. The celebrity our neighborhoods” said Madeline V. lations. “Con Edison is investing in
cultural heartbeat of our city.” judges were two-time Tony winner Marque, EVP, Chief External Affairs the most reliable service in the na-
“The Talent is Timeless compe- Katie Finneran, dancer Lillian Colon, Officer at Ponce Bank. “We’re proud tion and educating our customers to
tition shows the beauty and creativ- producer and Tony Award winner to celebrate their contributions and protect themselves from scammers.
ity of our older New Yorkers. From Irene Gandy, singer and actress Ke- help ensure they remain a vibrant This partnership is about more than
dance classes at Older Adult Centers cia Lewis, actor Antonio Melenciano, part of our city’s future.” awareness—it’s about empowering
to this finale, we believe that it is crit- and actor BD Wong. Also, for the “We have a mantra here at Road our communities to stay safe.”
ical to invest in spaces where older first time this year, there was an audi- Scholar: Age Adventurously. That’s “At Juilliard Extension, we are
New Yorkers can build community, ence choice category that allowed at- exactly what the contestants in Talent deeply committed to supporting the
stay active, and nurture their unique tendees to vote for who they thought is Timeless are doing,” said Ann Si- creative experiences of New York’s
talents,” said Deputy Mayor for should win. manis, AVP of Community Outreach older adults and to advancing the
Health and Human Services Suzanne The winners of the 2025 Talent is at Road Scholar, a not-for-profit national movement in creative aging”
Miles-Gustave. “I’m grateful to the Timeless competition are: organization that has served 6.5M said John-Morgan Bush, Dean of
Mayor and NYC Aging for creating • 1st Place: Thelma Ruffin Thomas, Spo- older adults on their education- Juilliard Extension. “Talent is Time-
this annual event that demonstrates ken Word (Original) Thelma’s Rap al travel programs over the last 50 less exemplifies the power of lifelong
that artistry only grows with time and • 2nd Place: Barbara Gray, Singing Crazy years. “We’re so proud to be part of learning, curiosity, and artistry, and
the joy that comes with sharing it.” • 3rd Place: Amanda Rodriguez, Danc- this event that celebrates the diverse we are proud to stand with this pro-
“Talent is Timeless shines a spot- ing La Negra ways people embrace life as they age, gram as a call to action for recognizing
light on older New Yorkers who con- • Group Winner: KCS Dance Team, and to help reframe the conversation and nurturing creativity at every age.”

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