Washington’s Got Talent returns
After a five-year absence due to COVID and my health, our Washington’s Got Talent fundraiser is back! The finale will be held at Chartiers-Houston High School on Jan. 26 starting at 1:30 p.m. The community is invited. Tickets are available at our website at https://www.washingtonsgottalent.com/.
Traditionally, I dedicate the two columns before the show to the thoughts of the contestants. This year, we are showcasing 24 teens in 14 acts. The young people were asked the following questions: 1. Please tell me why you enjoy performing. 2. What does performing in Washington’s Got Talent mean to you? 3. Where do you see yourself in 10 years.
In alphabetical order, these are the first 12 contestants. The remainder will be highlighted in the Jan. 23 column.
Kamarya Churney: 1. I enjoy performing because it allows me to express myself and my talent without talking. I also enjoy seeing others supporting me and cheering me on. 2. Performing in Washington’s Got Talent is special to me because when I was younger, I performed in the younger kids dance in the show. Now that I’m older I get to perform as a contestant. 3. In 10 years I see myself working on my career and starting a family.
Victoria Cirilo: 1. I enjoy performing because I love to see the joy it brings to others. It also feels like an accomplishment to me because it shows how much I’ve learned when I perform a difficult piece. 2. To me, it means an opportunity to really put myself out there. It’s an opportunity to be involved in my community and share my love for music with other people. 3. Finished/finishing college, getting married and continuing to develop my musical prowess.
Fiona Colilla: 1. I enjoy performing because it gives me a creative outlet. When I’m stressed or overwhelmed, dance is always something I turn to. 2. Performing in the show means I get to use my talents to raise money for a great cause. 3. In 10 years I see myself graduated from college, living in New York City, and dancing on Broadway.
Addison Davis: 1. For me, performance has always been an outlet of creativity and self- expression and fun. It’s a chance for me to share my God-given talents with those around me and spread joy. 2. It’s an opportunity for me to have fun on stage, make my friends and family proud, and bring joy to those around me. 3. I see myself writing creative stories, performing musical theater, and raising my kids.
Katherine Drezewski: 1. I enjoy performing because I like the rush of singing in front of people and sharing my passion. It makes me feel fulfilled when I see my parents smiling and other audience members clapping along. I enjoy performing with my best friend Caden because we mesh so well and always have so much fun. Plus, he eases my fears and it’s less nerve-wracking with him by my side. 2. I’m very excited to be performing in Washington’s Got Talent because other than the school musicals and karaoke there’s not very many opportunities for me to sing in front of people. I love participating in local activities and I’m very happy to get involved in this after seeing it on YouTube all those years, and getting a chance to share what I’ve been working on since I was little. It’s a really neat event that I’m happy to be part of. 3. I see myself hopefully working as an archaeologist, unearthing ancient artifacts. I still hope to be performing in theater and hope to have the opportunity to stick with theater and be involved in musicals. I want to have a close, happy family and travel and make many memories together.
Jade Dvorak: 1. I enjoy performing because I am able to show emotion without words by dancing. I also enjoy seeing people I love watch me perform. 2. It gives me the opportunity to show people like family and friends my talent. 3. Working in psychology or working from home as a project manager and also owning a house.
Greta Fulton: 1. The thrill of performing on stage gives me such a dopamine rush, it makes me instantly smile. Looking into the audience gives me such pride and joy. 2. It feels like such an honor. I love to show my skills to people. 3. I see myself being a music teacher. I would be so happy to teach people the beauty of the arts. I feel nowadays it isn’t appreciated enough.
Grace Holland: 1. I absolutely love the feeling and thrill music gives me every time I perform. 2. I think it’s amazing to be able to perform with other people who have similar passions in the same town as me. 3. I see myself pursuing something that brings me happiness, and ideally it involves music.
Dylan Isbell: 1. I enjoy performing because it allows me to express myself and touch the hearts of others through music. Performing also gives me purpose to create and learn different pieces of music. 2. This means a lot to me for I have always wanted to share my passion through a larger audience and community. Also, I hope to inspire future generations of pianists in Washington. 3. I see myself performing in public or in music halls for those who share an equal passion for music like myself. Along with my passion for music, I hope to have a long career in the medical field.
Brinley Kent: 1. I enjoy performing because I love singing and dancing. I love the feeling of enjoyment I have the second I step on stage. 2. Performing in Washington’s Got Talent means performing something I’ve always loved to do with one of my best friends. It means getting out of my comfort zone and have fun! 3. In 10 years I see myself in college, hopefully performing musical theater on the side.
Londyn Kohn: 1. I enjoy performing because it is a way I can express myself and show others the talent I have. 2. Performing in Washington’s Got Talent means to me a great opportunity and shows I do anything I put my mind to. 3. In 10 years, I see myself graduated, and working in the career path I choose, whether I am performing as a dancer or working in the hair and beauty industry.
Morgan Layhue: 1. I enjoy performing because I love the art of dance and how it makes me feel. Being on stage is an amazing feeling and it’s even better with support from my teammates. 2. It’s an opportunity to show the community around me what my talent is and why I have a passion for dance. 3. In 10 years I see myself graduating from med school and starting my career. Dance will always be a special part of my life so I hope to continue my dance career in some way in college.
Have a question? Send it to Dr. Mary Jo Podgurski’s email podmj@healthyteens.com.