Cornelia Kiwanis President David Wonders (far right) joins the winners on stage at the 37th Annual Cornelia Kiwanis Talent Showcase. The event was held Feb. 23, 2018 in the Habersham Central High School Auditorium in Mt. Airy. (photo/Daniel Purcell)
Cornelia Kiwanis President David Wonders (far right) joins the winners on stage at the 37th Annual Cornelia Kiwanis Talent Showcase. The event was held Feb. 23, 2018 in the Habersham Central High School Auditorium in Mt. Airy. (photo/Daniel Purcell)Emerald Patterson won first place in the high school division during the 37th Annual Cornelia Kiwanis Club Talen Showcase. (photo/Daniel Purcell)
Nineteen Habersham County youth let their talent shine during this year’s Cornelia Kiwanis Talent Showcase. The event was held Friday at the Habersham Central High School auditorium in Mt. Airy. Contestants competed in three age divisions – Elementary, Middle School, and High School. Prizes were awarded to the top three finishers in each division.
The winner of the high school division, Emerald Patterson, now goes on to represent Habersham County at the State Kiwanis Club competition later this year. Patterson won with her rendition of “Art Is Calling For Me” from the operetta “The Enchantress”, by American composer Victor August Herbert. She received a trophy and the $500 Bill Loyd cash prize.
(see below for complete list of winners)
Other winners are:
Elementary Division
1st – Brayden Bixler, danced to “Chicago Breakdown”
2nd – Josie Bixler and Brayden Bixler, sang “Big Yellow Taxi”
3rd – Ashley Jones, sang “Almost There”
Middle School Division
1st – Sam Warren, sang “A Million Dreams”
2nd – Zoe Simmons, sang “No Good Deed”
3rd – Blew Meeks, played piano “Scherzo” by Carl Von Webber
High School Division
1st – Emerald Patterson
2nd – Cash Laws, sang “Evermore”
3rd – Desinty Holland, sang “Cabaret”
Brianna Hope Justice was voted People’s Choice award winner. She sang “Redeemed,” by Big Daddy Weave.
This is the 37th year Cornelia Kiwanis has sponsored its Talent Showcase of young performers. The event raises money to support the club’s scholarship fund.
37th Annual Cornelia Kiwanis Talent Showcase
Feb. 23, 2018
HCHS Auditorium • Mt. Airy, GA
photos by Daniel Purcell
Local realtor/singer Alan Baker performed for the audience.
Middle schooler Zoe Simmons dresses and sings the part of Elphaba from the Broadway musical “Wicked.” Here she performs the song, “No Good Deed.”
Sam Warren adds color to the stage with his first-place finishing rendition of “A Million Dollar Dream.”
Third place middle school finisher, Blew Meeks, performs “Scherzo” by Carl Von Webber.
Destiny Holland took third place in the high school division with her vocal performance of “Cabaret.”
Cash Laws sings “Evermore.” He placed 2nd in the high school division.
Elementary Division performers (l-r): Katherine Grace Chitwood, Josie and Brayden Bixler, and Ashley Jones smile as the crowd applauds them.
Middle School Division performers take a final bow. They are, in random order, Blew Meeks, Sam Warren, Ariel Standridge, Zoe Simmons, Brianna Hope Justice, Adrian Ramsey, Katlyn Vison, and Ariel Schwartz.
High School Division performers bow at the end of the competition. They are, in random order, Chandler Bowen, Noah Bowen, Lennon Lester, Rebekah Culpepper, Jesselle Witter, Brandi Thomas, Emerald Patterson, Cash Laws, Desinty Holland, and Caleb Rodgers.
Trophies were awarded to the top three finishers in each division.
Brianna Hope Justice, a middle schooler, won the People’s Choice award.
Middle School Division winners (l-r): Sam Warren, 1st; Zoe Simmons, 2nd; Blew Meeks, 3rd.
High School Division winners (l-r) Emerald Patterson, 1st; Cash Laws, 2nd; Destiny Holland, 3rd.
First place high school winner Emerald Patterson took home a trophy and the $500 Bill Loyd cash prize. The prize is named in honor of longtime Cornelia Kiwanis member Bill Loyd. Alan Baker (left) and Cornelia Kiwanis President David Wonders present her with the check.
