Being talented can pay off for these teens
Radford High School’s “Bobcat’s Got Talent Show” was held Sept. 23. Sarah Davis and Josh Mullins will represent the school Saturday in Shelor Motor Mile’s Growing the Future Talent Show. Courtesy of Shelor Motor Mile
On Saturday night, several local students will be looking to literally cash in on their talents as a part of Shelor Motor Mile’s Growing the Future Talent Show at Christiansburg High School.
Eight high schools will each be represented by two acts — the winner and runner-up of their individual talent shows — who will compete to win the grand prize of $2,500 and $20,000 for his or her school.
The runner-up will receive $1,500, with his or her school receiving $10,000, and the third-place act will be awarded $1,000 and the school $5,000. The fourth-place winner will receive $500 and the school $2,500.
All money awarded to the school must be used for school improvements that benefit the entire student body.
The acts will be judged by a group of nine people, one representing each participating school and one representing Shelor Motor Mile.
The show will be held in the school’s auditorium. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $3 for students and must be purchased in advance at one of the eight participating schools. All ticket proceeds will go to benefit the school at which they are purchased.
Here is a look at this year’s competitors:
AUBURN HIGH SCHOOL
- MAX TOMLIN, junior
Talent: Playing Spanish-style guitar to “Capricho Arabe” by Francisco Tarrega.
Future plans: Would like to attend Virginia Tech and study either engineering or architecture.
Who inspires you? “I have to say my guitar teacher [Paul Burgess]. He is the only person who ever taught me about playing guitar and actually how to put feeling and emotion into songs.”
- DILLON PASTORE, sophomore
Talent: Hip-hop dancing
Future plans: Would like to attend Radford University and study sports medicine in hopes of becoming a physical therapist.
Who inspires you? “The first person I saw ever dance was Chris Brown. The first time I saw him, I was just like ‘Wow,’ and I just wanted to be at that level one day.”
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CHRISTIANSBURG HIGH SCHOOL
- LUKE WILLIAMS, senior
Talent: Performing with the groups The 4-Given and Quadratonix
Future plans: Plans to attend James Madison University or a similar four-year university and double major in music education and computer sciences.
Who inspires you? “The Christiansburg High School music department teachers, Mrs. Townley and Mr. Miller, inspire me to challenge myself and to never stop learning.”
- NICHOLAS HODGES, senior
Talent: Performing with the group The 4-Given
Future plans: Plans to attend New River Community College or James Madison University to pursue a career as a police officer.
Who inspires you? “I am inspired by all kinds of people, some being my band director, Mr. Miller, my chorus director, Mrs. Townley, and my older brother, Nathaniel Hodges, who is currently studying to become a music teacher.”
- PRESTON LATTIMER, senior
Talent: Performing with the group The 4-Given
Future plans: Plans on attending Virginia Tech to major in engineering, and hopes to become a professor later in life.
Who inspires you? “Mrs. Mandi Townley inspires me. She is always willing to work for us or be there when we need it.”
- MATTHEW FLEISCHER, senior
Talent: Performing with the group The 4-Given
Future plans: Plans to attend either Virginia Tech or James Madison University and major in mathematics. He hopes to attend graduate school and pursue a Ph.D. and become a math professor.
Who inspires you? “I am inspired by my band director Mr. David Miller, who has taught me the importance of music. I am also inspired by bands such as Switchfoot, who have maintained their religion despite their notoriety.”
- LEAH PIEMONTE, senior
Talent: Performing with the group Quadratonix
Future plans: Plans to major in music education at Virginia Tech and possibly teach music therapy classes to young children with disabilities.
Who inspires you? “An Indie artist, Ingrid Michaelson, inspires me — not very well-known, but a phenomenal musician in my favorite genre of music. Mrs. Townley inspires me, as well.”
- CALEB CALDWELL, senior
Talent: Performing with the group Quadratonix
Future plans: Plans to attend James Madison University or New York University to study music education.
Who inspires you? “The Avett Brothers and Pentatonix inspire me.”
- JESSICA WATSON, senior
Talent: Performing with the group Quadratonix
Future plans: Plans to attend Radford University and minor in music.
Who inspires you? “I am inspired by Mrs. Townley and my parents.”
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RADFORD HIGH SCHOOL
- SARAH DAVIS, senior
Talent: Hula-hooping
Future plans: Plans to attend Appalachian State University and hopes to later join the Peace Corps.
Who inspires you? “Brecken Rivara, a professional hula-hooper.
- JOSH MULLINS, freshman
Talent: Performing a humorous monologue
Future plans: Aspires to be an actor.
Who inspires you? “Steve Martin.”
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PULASKI HIGH SCHOOL
- MORIAH HINTON, freshman
Talent: Singing “I Wonder” by Kellie Pickler
Future plans: Options include nursing and possibly singing.
Who inspires you? “Carrie Underwood, because she’s just an awesome singer, and probably my dad. I’d have to say I got some of my singing voice from him.”
- CARRIE PASCOE, sophomore
Talent: Clogging
Future plans: Would like to attend George Mason University and study elementary education.
Who inspires you? “My dance teacher, Corinne Shelor. We’ve been through a lot together, and she’s always been there for me.”
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NARROWS HIGH SCHOOL
- CJ FERGUSON, sophomore
Talent: Singing and playing guitar to “Wagon Wheel” by Old Crow Medicine Show.
Future plans: Would like to go to Nashville and pursue a career in music or attend a police academy.
Who inspires you? “My dad, ’cause he’s the one that got me into music.”
- BROOKE TAYLOR, junior
Talent: Singing “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele
Future plans: Taylor is already taking CNA classes for nursing, with plans to be certified this year. She plans to go to New River Community College and pursue her RN degree.
Who inspires you? “My mom. She is a singer, her family has a background of music, and everyone on her side is musically inclined somehow.”
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GILES HIGH SCHOOL
- SYDNEY HAWKS, eighth grade
Talent: Singing “Everything I Do” by Bryan Adams
Future plans: Would like to attend a big college, possibly the University of North Carolina or West Virginia University, and study to become a music professor.
Who inspires you? “My sister, Alex Hawks. She really helps me, and I can talk to her about pretty much everything.”
- DIAMOND MEADOWS, junior
Talent: Singing “Take Me to the King” by Tamela Mann
Future plans: Plans to attend college and study to become a physical therapist.
Who inspires you? “Kay Dickerson. She goes to my church. She’s also a teacher at Giles High School. She has so much confidence in her singing, when she sings it moves everybody in the church.”
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FLOYD COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
- JORDON RONAN, junior
Talent: Singing and playing the guitar to “Some Nights” by Fun
Future plans: Would like to get into some form of writing, either journalism or screen writing. He would like to attend Boston University.
Who inspires you? Ronan said he is inspired by the lead singer of Fun, as well as the Beatles, Van Morrison, The Who, and Hall and Oates.
- MAX D’AMICO, freshman
Talent: Performing an original piece on the electric guitar titled “Falling into the Abyss.”
Future plans: Would like to attend the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, Calif., and study to become a studio musician.
Who inspires you? D’Amico said he is inspired by guitarist Jason Becker, who despite becoming paralyzed and losing the ability to speak due to Lou Gehrig’s disease, continues to compose music. “He is the finest example I could ever think of staying at what you love,” D’Amico said.
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BLACKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL
- JESSICA VANCE, senior
Talent: Singing “Vissi D’arte” from the opera “Tosca” by Puccini.
Future plans: Plans to attend Virginia Tech and double major in vocal performance and music education. She hopes to one day become a professional opera singer.
Who inspires you? “My aunt Madeline Pauli, she’s also my vocal teacher. She’s basically the inspiration for why I sing opera.”
- MEGAN CARLIER, sophomore
Talent: Playing the cello to “Julie-O” by Mark Summer
Future plans: Would like to pursue a career involving the arts and said that music will definitely always be a huge part of her life.
Who inspires you? Nicole Johnson. Carlier said she began playing the cello at 3 years old after seeing Johnson play a cello during a workshop at the Blacksburg library. She later took lessons from Johnson and added that her current teacher, Ben Wyatt, also inspires her because he motivates her to push herself.
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