Washington’s Got Talent contestants weigh in
Sunday, Jan. 29, is our Teen Outreach’s eighth annual Washington’s Got Talent finale at Canon-McMillan High School. The show, which runs from 1:30 to 4 p.m., is our only fundraiser and is perfect for our mission. More than 200 young people are involved in planning and producing the event, led by our community coordinator, my daughter Amy Podgurski Gough, and our teen SHO (Students Helping Others) committee. Tickets and online voting are available at http://www.washingtonsgottalent.com/.
Traditionally, I dedicate the columns prior to the finale to our young finalists. They respond to three questions: 1. Why do you enjoy performing? 2. What does performing in Washington’s Got Talent mean to you, and 3. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? In ABC order, here are responses from the first half of our 21 finalists:
Colin Adreon: 1. It’s a way to express myself. 2. It’s an opportunity to play for more people and gain popularity. 3. On our world tour.
Blaze Balher: 1. I enjoy performing because there’s some kind of rush you get when you go on stage, nail your performance, and walk off stage while people are clapping and knowing that you did your best. Your hours of practice are finally paying off and you’re providing entertainment for people. 2. It’s kind of like a test, I guess – a test to see how I stack up with the rest of the city and my age group. Either win or not, though, I’m gonna have fun. 3. Hopefully still playing guitar – not as a profession because it’s incredibly hard to make money and be the best in that field of work, but hopefully as a hobby, playing for family or friends.
Rueben Brock: 1. I enjoy performing because I love the rush of being on stage and entertaining people. 2. It means getting more exposure by getting on stage and furthering my career. Also, it’s just a fun experience to be with my friends. 3. In 10 years, I see myself either being a commercial dancer or dancing with a company.
Aliyah Brooks: 1. I enjoy performing because I feel like it gives me life. Music has been around my life since I was little. I enjoy giving people something great to listen to. Music is what feelings sound like, and to share my voice with others gives me an amazing feeling. 2. Performing in Washington’s Got Talent, to me, means I must be doing something right. Win or lose, I am very excited to be part of this wonderful experience. 3. In 10 years, I see myself teaching music to younger kids. I see myself motivating young minds through music.
Tiarra Carter-Green: 1. I enjoy performing because it gives me a chance to show off my talent and the thrill that I get when I step on the stage. I love seeing the reactions I get from my talent. 2. Performing in Washington’s Got Talent is such an honor! To be one of the 15 finalists is such a confidence booster, and it makes me really proud. 3. In 10 years I see myself fulfilling my other passion, cooking! I would love to be a chef, but on the side I would like to teach kids how to baton twirl.
Nico Cersosimo: 1. I love radiating the joy of music from me onto others. 2. It means the world to be able to showcase my talents. 3. Playing music!
Maria Cimino: 1. I like to see people react to performances. I like to see them join in with the attitude of the performers. 2. It will be a cool way to show my love for dance to other people, and to make memories with my friends. 3. I see myself teaching English somewhere in 10 years, hopefully with the same love of dance I have now.
Megan Cottrill: 1. I’ve just always enjoyed being on stage. I participate in the musicals in my school and I just always enjoy the theatricality of it all. 2. It means a lot. I’ve been trying out at my school for a while, and an older kid always beat me, so I am honored to have been picked. 3. Hopefully working, I want to be a cardiothoracic surgeon. I also hope to still be singing in at least some part of my daily life.
Saffron Crowe: 1. I’ve never been the type of student to enjoy performing. I’m very shy, so getting to perform in front of family and friends is kind of a huge step for me, and it means I’m facing a fear, which is pretty rad. 2. Performing in WGT is a huge privilege. It makes me happy to see all the students involved, doing what they love. It is such a great feeling when you or your group gets chosen to perform in the finale. You are so nervous for the audition, but then you gain confidence when you get in. WGT means a lot to me for these reasons. 3. In 10 years, I see myself pursuing a career as a cop or in the military. I’m sure, whatever I’m doing, I’ll still be singing when I have free time or when I’m alone.
Keegan Decker: 1. I enjoy performing on drums because it makes people happy. 2. It’s a lovely opportunity to share my talents with the people of Washington. 3. With luck, swimming in wealth and enjoying a successful career as a politician.
Siarra DeMichele: 1. I enjoy having people listen to what I love to do and hearing the applause makes all the hard work pay off. 2. Performing in WGT gives me a chance to showcase my passion for singing and get over my stage fright. In doing this, I plan to have fun with Saffron and Blaze. 3. In 10 years, I see myself hopefully with my soon-to-be husband and we will be singing to each other.
Stephanie Doncals: 1. I love to perform because, as a dancer, I can express my emotions and show people what I love to do. 2. Performing in WGT means I can do what I love and also make new friends. 3. In 10 years, I would love to be dancing professionally and be the best performer I can be.
Connor Ehrgood: 1. I love entertaining people. It’s always great when we play a song that everyone loves. You know that there’s a bunch of people out there jamming to the noise you’re making. 2. It’s an opportunity to get to perform on a large stage for a large audience, much bigger than we’ve ever had, and supporting a good cause in the process. 3. Hopefully, I can make a stable living off of the PA work I do, and get a bit of income from the band.