Though it was scorching hot outside on Canada Day, there were cool sounds coming from inside the Sechelt Activity Centre that afternoon. The Sechelt’s Got Talent show fielded 20 acts from kids ranging in age from nine to 18 in a show of fiddling, strumming, dancing and singing.
Six-year-old Gracelyn Mailey led the audience in O Canada to open the show, and a trio of judges from off the Coast picked the winners.
“It was not easy to choose,” said contest organizer Nikki Weber. “Many were so close, but I think the judges made fair decisions.”
Keyboard player Matthew Douglas, 11, took a first place in the nine to 12 age group and received his cash prize with a happy grin. Kayla Payne, 10, came second with her fiddle performance, and Anika Kilray danced her way to third place.
For the older kids ages 13 to 19, Cameron Peters, 18, won first place for a guitar instrumental. Brison Geue, 14, came second, and Ashley Hautala, 16, took third for her vocals.
“These kids are good,” Weber said, and she felt they had earned their cash prizes that would be put towards their music. Two of Brison’s brothers also competed, Caleb Geue, 9, and Ethan Geue, 12.
The judges, musician Walter Martella, music educator Peter Taylor and music specialist Roy Carson, were all from Powell River. Weber, 88, began these youth talent contests years ago under the name of Sechelt Star Search, but the annual performances took a long break when she moved off the Coast. Weber declined being a judge since she has taught some of the students, and it now gives her great satisfaction to see a new generation grow in ability.
The money for cash prizes was raised by the Sechelt Downtown Business Association, which sought local sponsors, Rotary and Lions Club among them. All the non-winners received a $10 gift certificate from Strait Music and one singer, Renee Harper, got a surprise gift. Though she didn’t win the contest, she received a new clarinet from a member of the audience who liked her performance.
