The talented teen, who grew up in Howard Beach and now lives on Long Island, realized her desire to sing and perform when, as a child, she begged her parents to let her respond to an ad posted by a family searching for a girl to play Princess Jasmine at their sick child’s birthday party. While she was too young to claim roles then, Vega, who graduates this spring from the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, never lost the desire to perform in musical theater.
   “In five years, I want to be on stage,” she said. “I want to be that person whose name you might not know, but whose performance you think is amazing.”
   Judging by her recent accomplishments, Vega is well on her way. She received a partial singing scholarship to Five Town’s College and recently received news that she is one of 10 semifinalists in the national Build-a-Bear Workshop’s “Let’s Sing About Love Singing Contest.” The performer had one week to create lyrics for an original song and send the company a videotape of her performance. While most seasoned performers would find the short notice a challenge, Vega embraced it.
   “I was listening to the music and the words just came to me,” Vega said.
   Anyone curious about Vega’s talent will have a chance to hear her voice this June. She will step into the shoes of two distinct characters at Howard Beach’s June 13 and 14 Relay for Life: Belle, the Disney Princess from Sleeping Beauty and Hannah Montana, every tween’s favorite rock star. She is also volunteering her time by helping Democratic District Leader Frank Gulluscio produce “Peter Pan” at St. Mary Gate of Heaven, where she attended grammar school. To help Vega become a finalist in the Build a Bear contest, view her performance and vote for her at Buildabear.com/lovehugspeace/contest.aspx.