Jan 28, 2015 6 min read

Once again it is my pleasure to share our Washington’s Got Talent finalists’ thoughts. Last week’s column contained five of the finalists; the remaining responses are below. Our young contestants answered three questions:

1. Please tell us why you enjoy performing;

2. What does performing in Washington’s Got Talent mean to you?

3. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Please join us at the finale at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Trinity High School. Doors open at 5. Arrive early to enjoy a spaghetti dinner (courtesy of Angelo’s Restaurant and Ameron Beverages). Four Star Pizza will provide food during intermission. You can vote for Fan Favorite and buy tickets at http://www.washingtonsgottalent.com/. These young people are ready to perform their hearts out for you. We need a break from this cold winter! Online tickets are only $12 for adults and $5 for youth 18 and younger (prices at the door are $15/adults and $10/youth).

Anthony D’Orazio: 1. Performing allows me to express myself through the creation of music. It allows me to utilize my ability and passion when playing the violin. Music is everything to me, and it enables me to exhibit those inner thoughts to the audience. 2. It gives me the chance to demonstrate that the violin can be implemented in many types of music. I hope, for this performance, to help inspire others to appreciate the violin more and to maybe even play it. 3. In 10 years I see myself still continuing to learn more about music and to perform.

Jonathan Florian: 1. Performing is the art of expressing yourself towards others, generally in the forms of music and dance. To me, it is mutually beneficial to both those performing and those in the audience, as I enjoy music and the audience becomes entertained. The applause provided by the audience after observing my passion eliminates my own self-doubt. 2. Being able to participate in Washington’s Got Talent is an unfathomable honor to me, not only because I am able to meet talented individuals whose lives delve into their passion but because my own abilities are being used to help others. My participation contributes to the well-being of others. 3. I see three potential avenues for me in a decade, each depending on the decisions I make in the next few years. I see myself as either a biological engineer, lawyer or musical composer.

Jacob Fonner : 1. I don’t just enjoy performing, I love performing. Although I have massive stage fright, I still love when I’m up on stage or in front of a program, because for that moment people are listening to me. And I’ve never had that. 2. Being in Washington’s Got Talent means the world to me. I’ve been trying for this for about five years and to get it my senior year would mean so much to me. 3. I see myself having a family, an apartment/house, and being happy.

Donte Gregg: 1. I enjoy showing off my talent to the world and I enjoy performing for people. 2. It means an opportunity to show a heck of a lot of people my talent and promote Washington’s Got Talent’s cause. 3. I see myself as a professional dancer or having a career that I truly love.

Brianna King: 1. I just like singing in general, whether it’s performing by myself, singing with a choir, or singing in the shower. 2. It means a lot to me. I think it will be a very cool experience. 3. I see myself in a nice house with a family.

Michael Lucas: 1. I believe I get energized by people. 2. The fact that I get to perform in front of so many people. 3. Living independently and doing something I love.

Katie Nemec: 1. When I dance, I get a feeling that I don’t get from anything else. When I perform, I feel like I have a place in the world. 2. Performing in Washington’s Got Talent is an exciting opportunity. The other students in this year’s show are so amazing and have so much talent. I can’t believe I get to be a part of this! 3. In 10 years, I see myself at college, majoring in dancing. My lifelong dream is to become a professional dancer.

Jakob Nyswaner: 1. I love the rush of seeing the people as I play and sing. I love the audible reverberations of my voice and the guitar. 2. It means that I am helping children and teens in the area. The child abuse awareness coloring book is a very nice thing, it is very useful thing for kids to understand. 3. In a mirror.

Sage Sneith: 1. There are many reasons why I enjoy performing, but the most important reasons is that it makes me feel amazing inside. 2. Performing in Washington’s Got Talent is a very big deal to me. I’ve never performed in front of so many people before, and I’m very honored to be chosen to do so. 3. In 10 years, I see myself doing what I love the most … performing.

J-Webb: 1. I love it when the audience cheers and I have more energy in it. 2. It means a lot to perform in front of a bunch of people and sharing my talent. 3. I want to be a famous broadcaster.

Zoe Wise: I enjoy performing because I just love being on stage. Dancing is my passion so it doesn’t matter where I am, as long as I can dance. 2. It means a lot, but not just to me. If I were to place, I have plans to donate that money to a family that has a child with cancer. 3. In 10 years, I will be completing my master’s of art in dance. Hopefully I will be starting my own dance company, creating the fiercest dancers, and taking over the world.

Gabby Zacharia: 1. I love performing because it gives me a chance to express myself. 2. I’m so glad I get to perform in Washington’s Got Talent because not only do I get to perform for people, but I get to help others. 3. In 10 years I see myself continuing my passion for music and with a career that allows me to do what I love as well as help others.