Jan 17, 2017 3 min read

Young performers from Washington County will once again compete for cash and prizes in this year’s “Washington’s Got Talent.”

The seventh annual talent show will be held at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at Canon-McMillan High School and feature performances by students in seventh through 12th grade from area school districts. Proceeds from the event will benefit Washington Hospital’s Teen Outreach.

“It’s our only fundraiser,” said Amy Podgurski-Gough, community coordinator for Teen Outreach.

Podgurski-Gough said that Teen Outreach’s funding comes from donations from about 40 local sponsors, money raised by student members of Washington Health System’s Students Helping Others committee and ticket sales from Washington’s Got Talent.

“We like to keep our ticket prices low,” said Podgurski-Gough, “because we really want students to attend.”

Auditions for the talent show were held in Chartiers-Houston, Washington, Trinity, Fort Cherry and Canon-McMillan school districts in December. Additional open auditions were held for students in other Washington County districts. After what Podgurski-Gough called a “phenomenal amount” of entries, 15 individuals or groups made it to the final round and will perform at the event.

While this year’s talent includes mostly music and dance acts, Podgurski-Gough noted that talents of all kinds are encouraged at the auditions.

“I’ve never had a juggler come out, and I’ve been waiting for the day for one to try,” Podgurski-Gough said.

The top prize for the event includes $1,000, as well as a free weekly pizza or sub for a year from Four Star Pizza, a two-hour photo shoot with Randall Photography and performances scheduled throughout the year.

Second-place winner will receive $500, and third place wins $250. A “fan favorite prize” of $500 also will be awarded, and all winners will receive flowers from Washington Square Flower Shop and trophies from Tri-State Designs.

Trinity High School teacher Steve Polansky will emcee the event, although student committee members will handle the bulk of the job.

“The kids really take the reigns in terms of emceeing,” Podgurski-Gough said. “Steve just keeps us on the time clock.”

Judges for the talent show are:

• Matt Boice, musician, voice coach and music director, First Presbyterian Church;

• Joyce D. Ellis, dancer and executive director of the LeMoyne Community Center;

• John Marcischak, singer, Four Townsmen;

• State Rep. Brandon Neuman;

• Katrina Thomas, dancer and educator.

Aside from the performances, the Washington’s Got Talent finale is made even sweeter with a “Cupcake Wars” competition.

About 40 Washington County students from seventh through 12th grade are competing in the Cupcake Wars. They are required to make three dozen mini- or regular-sized cupcakes.

Linda Atkins of L.A. Sweets in Washington will judge the cupcakes based on taste and presentation, and will award prizes to the winners.

Doors will open for the Washington’s Got Talent finale at noon. Angelo’s Restaurant will provide lunch before the performance. Presale tickets for adults are $15, and student tickets are $5 at www.washingtonsgottalent.com. Tickets at the door will cost $20 for adults and $10 for students.

For a full list of contestants, visit www.observer-reporter.com/wgt.