MARYSVILLE — The talent of Marysville-area singers and dancers was on display once again as the Marysville-Pilchuck auditorium hosted this year’s Strawberry Festival Talent Show.
In a show full of performers of all ages, it was high schooler Shelbey Jackson who wowed the judges with her piano arrangement and singing of Gavin McGraw’s ballad “Change is Gonna Come” to take home this year’s top prize. Jackson earned a prize basket and a place in the Strawberry Festival parade two nights later, on June 21, for her evocative performance.
Jackson was not without close competition, however. Twelve-year-old Mandy Henrichsen took a pass at singing a pop song to show off her pipes with the song “Art is Calling for Me.” The young diva aspires to sing opera and showed her ability in the performance with a first-place victory in the Vocal Performance, age 11-12 category.
Song or dance described most performances, although the show welcomed back John Farrey, last year’s victor, for an encore performance on the oboe.
“They can’t compete again the next year,” said talent show director Marcy Giesler. “I bring them back as last year’s overall winner.”
Other instrumental performances included Stuart Wheelre and Nadya Shtanukhina playing guitar and violin on an original song, earning first place in the Vocal Performance, 16 to adult category. Austin Foss played guitar and sang for third place in the same category, while Alvin Walker and Janae Grinaker dueted over Walker’s guitar to “If I Ain’t Got You,” for second place.
Vocal/Dance
Performance, ages 5-6
1. Aimee Brotten
2. KeaonaMarie Gordon
3. Victoria Steward
Dance Performance,
ages 6-8
1. Elizabeth Dowdle
2. Brielle Sydow and Kyler Gordon
3. Alexa Wheeler, Savannah Greene and Emily Petermeyer
Dance/Variety
Performance, ages 8-11
1. Ashley Hawkins
2. Abigail Hau
3. Hannah Roberson
Vocal Performances, ages 11-12
1. Mandy Henrichsen
2. Sierra Price
3. Olivia Ericksen
Dance Group
Performance, ages 8-11
1. Chloe O’Loughlin, Emmorie Boas, Piper Holiday, Bethany Maciejewski, Kellee Bargmeyer and Katelynn Melohusky
2. Megan Manzano and Caylyn Rich
3. Kianna Lewis, Raiven Yoes, Kristin Fernen, Laura Marin and Lauren Hansen
Vocal/Dance
Performance, ages 13-14
1. Lexie Proctor
2. Cheyenne Hanshaw
3. McKenna Slack
4. Kitty Hughes
Dance Group
Performance, ages 12-16
1. Elizabeth Brown, Kimee Kipperberg, Erica Manzano, Maya Manzano and Sarah Herrmann
2. Kylie Rasmussen and Amanda Albright
3. Jillian Berg, Elizabeth Baca, Julie Hodgen, Maria DeMatteo and Michelle DeMatteo
Vocal Performance,
ages 16-17
1. Shelbey Jackson, overall winner
2. Chelsea Stevens
3. Samantha Logan
Vocal/Group,
ages 16 to adult
1. Stuart Weaver and Nadia Shtanukhina
2. Alvin Walker and Janae Grinaker
3. Austin Foss
Vocal Performance, adult
1. Lewis Wilson with Dorothy Harivel
2. Carol Withey
3. Fred Fillbrook
