Talent shines at 61st annual Kiwanis show
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — A total of 16 contestants competed in four categories at the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club’s 61st annual Talent Revue, held Jan. 26 at Presque Isle Middle School. Unlike past years, the show was held on a Saturday afternoon, rather than Saturday evening, as had been the tradition.
CONTESTANTS LINED THE STAGE following the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club’s 61st annual Talent Revue to sing “America the Beautiful.” The event was held Jan. 26 at Presque Isle Middle School. Pictured from left are: Wambli Martinez, Jadon Ellis, Fred Sullivan, Aaron Swanson, Maddasin Willette, Bailey Roderick, Sadie Kinney, Kennedy Bencivenga, Allison Plummer, Makayla Shackett, Emma Cyr, Annelise Wardwell, Jordyn Shaw, Jordan Buckley, Michaela Dube, Tiffany Kinney and Chloe Rossignol.
AWARD RECIPIENTS at the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club’s 61st annual Talent Review, held at Presque Isle Middle School Jan. 26, went to contestants in four categories: Elementary (up to grade 5), Middle School (grades 6-8), High School (grades 9-12) and Adult. Pictured at right, from left are: Club President Keith Madore, co-emcee for the night; Jadon Ellis, Elementary division, who performed a number on the violin; Makayla Shackett, Middle School, whose talent was a ballet dance; Jordyn Shaw, High School, for a vocal and guitar presentation; receiving honorary mention was Chloe Rossignol, High School, who played guitar and sang; Fred Sullivan, Adult, who played piano; and Kiwanian Shawn Cunningham, co-emcee.
Taking first place in the elementary (up to grade 5) division was Jadon Ellis, who performed a violin number. Also competing in this age group were: Kennedy Bencivenga, with a hip hop dance mix; and Wambli Martinez, with a tap dance routine.
Winning first place in the middle school (grades 6-8) category was Makayla Shackett, who performed a ballet dance for her talent. Rounding out the class were: Aaron Swanson, who performed a piano and vocal number entitled “April She Will Come;” Emma Cyr sang “Mr. Know It All,” by Kelly Clarkson; and the duo of Bailey Roderick and Sadie Kinney offered a guitar and vocal presentation to “Kiss You,” by One Direction.
In the high school division (grades 9-12), first place went to Jordyn Shaw, with a vocal and guitar performance of “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree,” by KT Tunstall. Earning honorable mention was Chloe Rossignol, with a vocal and guitar original composition entitled “Princess Lament.”
Also competing in the high school group were: Tiffany Kinney, who sang “My Immortal,” by Evanescence. Annalise Wardwell offered a vocal presentation with “Yes, I Believe,” by Point of Grace. Michaela Dube sang “Taking Chances,” by Celine Dion. Jordan Buckley also sang, performing “Good Girl,” by Carrie Underwood.
Fred Sullivan took first place in the Adult division, with his piano rendition of “Mary had a Little Lamb.” Also competing were: Maddasin Willette, with a vocal performance of “Don’t Know Why,” by Norah Jones; and Allyson Plummer, who sang “Gravity,” by Sara Barailles.
Serving as emcees once again for this year’s show were Kiwanian Shawn Cunningham and Club President Keith Madore.
Entertainment between acts was provided by Kelly O’Mara and Randolph Michaud, who both sang for the audience.
The show concluded with performers and the audience joining to sing “America the Beautiful.”
