NEW CASTLE – Seven Craig County High School students last Wednesday competed for a chance to win a 1st-place prize of $200 and for the opportunity to compete in a regional talent show in Christiansburg in November, where the 1st-place prize is $2,500.
Shelor Motor Mile sponsored the school’s first-ever “Growing the Future” Community Partnership Talent Show. “We are very excited to add Craig County to our ‘Growing the Future’ partnership,” said Shelor representative Melissa Epperly. “This is our fourth year in having the competition, which has included other counties of Floyd, Radford, Christiansburg, Montgomery and Giles.”
The top five contestants received monetary prizes from Shelor Motor Mile’s “Growing the Future” Talent Show. Pictured, from left, are: Alyssa Shulke, Craig County Schools music teacher; 1st-place winner Taylore Price; 2nd-place Savannah and Summer Sink; 3rd-place Jackie Bastow; 4th-place Halie Wolfe and Mackenzie Fisher; 5th-place Nicole Fitzpatrick; and Melissa Epperly, representative from Shelor Motor Mile.
Last year, school bookkeeper Diane Bayne was watching the talent show on TV and decided to check the Shelor website. Afterward, Bayne emailed Shelor Motor Mile and asked if Craig County could be included in the program. Bayne said she was told the program had already been set for last year, but she continued to follow up and, with the guidance of Ronnie Echols, an employee of Shelor and a former Craig County resident, Craig was added to the list.
New music teacher Alyssa Cross Schulke, who is also the band director, choir director, elementary music teacher, and cheerleading coach, added, “When I was approached about the Shelor Motor Mile talent show, I thought it would be a fantastic opportunity for our students to get involved in the community, showcase their talents and compete for generous prizes.”
First prize winner, singing “Cupid’s Got a Shotgun” from the musical styling of Carrie Underwood, was Taylore Price. Price was said she was surprised to win, and when asked if she liked to sing, she commented, “All the time!” She added that she likes country music most, but sings songs of all genres. She was awarded the $200 cash prize from Shelor.
Her mother added, “She sings around the house for hours every day.”
Taking 2nd-place was Savannah and Summer Sink, who sang “Jar of Hearts.” Third was Jackie Bastow, singing “Dirt Road Prayer;” 4th was Halie Wolfe and Mackenzie Fisher, singing “Rolling in the Deep;” and 5th was Nicole Fitzpatrick, singing “Stronger.” All received monetary prizes of $125, $100, $75 and $50, respectively. The judges, Melissa Beaudoin, Forrest Smith and Lois Groseclose all agreed that the show was a special event for Craig County students and enjoyed being chosen for the job of judging. However, all agreed it was difficult to decide on number one.
“I think that the opportunity to perform for the community was very rewarding for the young ladies who participated in ‘Rockets Got Talent,’” said music teacher Schulke. “It is not easy to get up in front a group of people and perform. I am very proud of all of them for putting forth the effort and courage to go out on stage and share their talents with others. They all performed exceptionally well.”
1st-place winner Taylore Price kicks off the sassy song “Cupid’s got a Shotgun.”
As the top two finalists, Taylore Price and Savannah and Summer Sink will now advance to the “Growing the Future” Talent Show Grande Finale at Christiansburg High School Nov. 15 at 7 p.m., where they will have a chance at winning a grand prize of $2,500. The 1st-place winner of that show also earns $20,000 for his or her school.
“I am very excited to attend this event and support our students who will be wonderful representations of the talent that is present at Craig County Public Schools,” said Shulke.
“Shelor and Melissa Epperly have been wonderful,” said Bayne, who added that the elementary and middle schools received $500, and the high school received $1,000 for participating.
Shulke added, “The Shelor Motor Mile ‘Growing the Community’ program is not only beneficial for the individual students involved, but also for the school, as there are prizes available that help to raise funds for different school organizations. The different events that take place through this yearlong program are fantastic ways to promote school and community growth.”
Epperly also added that Shelor is donating two cars as giveaways to the schools participating, for which the students of Craig will be selling raffle tickets at $1 each.
“Our project has helped these local schools to raise over $800,000 on the raffles. The schools keep all of the proceeds,” explained Epperly. The first drawings for the two cars started Oct. 24, and another is slated in April 2015. Tickets for the drawings are sold at Craig County Schools.
Bayne explained that the talent show is another way to keep students and staff involved in the fundraiser projects.
“This is a learning year for us here at Craig County Public Schools,” said Bayne. “All ticket money from the contest stayed with the school and Shelor provides all prize monies. We hope to continue this relationship with Shelor Motor Mile Community Partnership Programs and [that it] can be even bigger and better next year.”
- By Pam Dudding-Burch