Three Denville residents captured major awards at the 19th Annual Morristown ONSTAGE talent competition held Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown.
The annual event, organized by the Morris Educational Foundation, featured 14 amateur finalists performing in front of a packed theater. The competition serves as a fundraiser supporting educational programs in the Morris School District and has raised nearly $2 million since its founding.
Denville residents were well represented among this year’s winners.
Ollie Eaton, 14, won the 18 & Under Overall Competition and the $1,000 top prize after performing Benson Boone’s “In the Stars” while accompanying himself on piano.
McKenzie Hegarty, 23, won the 19 & Over Overall Competition and also earned a $1,000 prize with her rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz.
Garrett Lash, 29, also of Denville, received the $500 Audience Choice Award after performing Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are,” singing while accompanying himself on piano.
Morristown High School senior Saleh Raphael was also recognized during the evening, receiving the Rossoff Rising Star Award and a $250 prize for a performance of Whitney Houston’s “One Moment in Time.”
Contestants are eligible to compete in Morristown ONSTAGE if they live, work, worship, attend school, or receive talent training in Morristown, Morris Township, or Morris Plains, or if they are alumni of Morristown High School.
McKenzie Hegarty, who began her performing arts training locally, said the experience felt especially meaningful.
“I’ve been performing since I was very young, beginning my training at Morristown Performing Arts Center and later at Paper Mill Playhouse. Winning on the very stage where my love for performing first grew felt incredibly full circle,” Hegarty said.
“As a recent University of Delaware graduate, now working in Morristown as a reporter and as a vocal coach at Denville Music Academy, it means so much to stay connected to this community through the arts. The Morris Educational Foundation runs an incredible event with amazing people and truly talented contestants, and I was honored to be part of a competition that has raised nearly $2 million to support our students.”
The evening featured a variety of performances, including singers, musicians, dancers, and bands, showcasing talent from across the Greater Morristown area.
With three of the competition’s top honors going to Denville residents, the town made a strong showing at this year’s Morristown ONSTAGE.
