Talent rises to the top in Mission Valley
GUEST ARTIST Jordan Albert returned to entertain the crowd while Mission Valley Has Talent judges determined the top three acts in each division.
IRIS ARLINT was the winner of the Junior division during the Mission Valley Has Talent program last Friday, March 15 in the Polson High School Auditorium. She sang, “This Girl is On Fire,” and she was to the delight of spectators. (Joe Sova photos/Lake County Leader)
ABIGAIL AND ELIZABETH De Lay were second in the Intermediate division at Mission Valley Has Talent. They performed their original song, “Hold On.”
GEN HUITT finished third in the Adult category at Mission Valley Has Talent with her original song, “Diet or Fry It.”
JAMES PETTIT led Gaelic Thunder to second place in the Adult division at Mission Valley Has Talent. The group also featured Ronan High School students Jamie Romero, James Normandeau, Billy Palmer and Matson McClure with bagpipes and drum line.
SINGING SISTERS Amelia and Anna Cronk teamed for second place in the Junior division at Mission Valley Has Talent. “ They performed “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days).”
SHARPLY DRESSED Mollie Wintor Snydor earned first place in the Intermediate division of Mission Valley Has Talent with her ukulele/vocal medley.
TUA MEAFUA of Team Xtreme uses his teeth and bare hands to bend a piece of rebar during Mission Valley Has Talent. Meafua and Tile Falkner performed “Feats of Strength” win the Adult division title.
Fifteen acts competed for top honors during the Mission Valley Has Talent program held Friday, March 15 in the comfort of the Polson High School Auditorium.
As in past years, the event is a fundraiser for the Helping Hands Fund, and is supported by the Mission Valley Ministerial Association.
Part of the program included an explanation of Helping Hands’ Baby Box Project, which features a safe sleeping haven for infants, and the Backpack Project. The latter is conducted in conjunction with the Polson Police Department, providing items for youngsters displaced from familiar surroundings.
Mission Valley Has Talent performers were divided into three divisions. There were five acts in the Junior division, five in the Intermediate division and another five in the Adult division.
Prizes were awarded to the top three in each division — $250 for first, $150 for second and $100 for third.
Native American hoop dancer Robert Parot Jr. opened the show, displaying his skills.
Iris Arlint, just an 11-year-old, delivered a riveting rendition of former hit song, “This Girl is On Fire,” accompanied by Ella Arlint. It impressed the judges enough to earn first place.
The “Singing Sisters,” Amelia and Anna Cronk, placed second with their ukulele and vocal duet. Sofia Leighton Pahlen was third with her piano recital of “Fur Elise.”
Mollie Wintor Snydor wowed the audience with a ukulele and vocal medley to win the Intermediate division title.
Elizabeth and Abigail De Lay placed second with a guitar and vocal duet of their inspirational original song, “Hold On.” That could have been one of the closest votes, giving the performances by Wintor Syndor and the De Lay sisters.
Another family duo, Tiana and Claire Crist, were third with their piano and violin duo. Their original song is called, “Once Upon a Time.”
It appeared no one in the audience knew who would emerge the champion in the Adult division. The crowd favorites, based on their post-performance applause, were Gaelic Thunder and Team Xtreme. It was Tile Falkner and Tua Meafua who came out on top, taking first with their “Feats of Strength,” including ripping apart thick phone books, blowing up a hot water bottle until it burst, bending rebar and Falkner bench pressing a 250-pound log.
Gaelic Thunder finished second with their bagpipes and drum line, featuring group leader James Pettit, plus Ronan High School students Jamie Romero, James Normandeau, Billy Palmer and Matson McClure.
As he did last year, local talent Jordan Albert provided original compositions and guitar techniques while the judges tabulated their votes. Those judges were Dennis and Nila Anderson, Chris Bumgarner, Margaret Cook, Cathy Gillhouse, and Karen and Neal Lewing.
Brian Miskimins of Anderson Broadcasting served as master of ceremonies. Steven Pickel was stage manager and Steven Alexander the sound technician. Many other volunteers assisted with the efficient, smooth-running performance.
On the Helping Hands board of directors are Steven Yurosko, president; Pickel, vice president; Kim Sassaman, secretary-treasurer; and Loretta Chambers, Cynthia Hoeschler and Toni Young.