SUCCESSFUL TRYOUTS — Area youths who won their tryout audition during last year’s Valley’s Got Talent competition, practiced during a dress rehearsal. This year’s competition will be held Nov. 24, with tryouts set to begin Monday in the auditorium of Steubenville High School. Those interested should complete an online form and visit the school between 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday. Additional tryouts will be held at Edison High School, Tuesday; Catholic Central High School, Wednesday; and the Sycamore Youth Center, Nov. 16. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — The competition which showcases the talents of area youths is making its return. And officials are seeking contestants who are ready to compete.

The Valley’s Got Talent competition will begin holding tryouts on Monday.

Bobbyjon Bauman, Ohio Valley Youth Network president and Sycamore Youth Center executive director, stated this year’s competition is expected to be “bigger and better than ever before.”

He announced the live, open tryouts will start auditions at Steubenville High School. Those interested can visit the school and prepare to take the stage from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Edison High School will be the location for the following day’s tryouts, scheduled to run from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday. Catholic Central High School will be the site for Wednesday’s tryouts, set to take place between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. And the Sycamore Youth Center will hold tryouts from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 16.

The annual contest includes the following categories: Bands, vocal soloists, vocal groups, choirs, dancers, dance groups and non-vocal miscellaneous talent, such as poets or instrumentalists.

Choirs wanting to perform in the event do not have to try out, Bauman stated. He explained he would want them in the show, no matter what.

Contestants and acts chosen to perform in the competition will be notified by text or e-mail no later than noon on Nov. 17. There are 20 acts — five per category — selected to perform at the Valley’s Got Talent competition.

The competition will take place at 5 p.m. Nov. 24, in the Steubenville High School auditorium, where a total of $1,500 will be awarded.

There are rules on who is eligible to participate, Bauman commented, listing details on who can and how to participate in the competition.

He explained anyone between the ages of 13 and 23 can try out.

Officials said these ages reflect the fact there is a separate Valley’s Got Talent, Kid’s Edition, for those between the ages of 8 and 13.

Bauman explained competitors taking part in a band, choir or soloist performance are permitted to have people older than 23 accompany them or back them up during the entertainment piece. However, only the eligible vocalist or musician aged 13-23 will be judged.

Bauman noted songs must have Christian or inspirational content, since the competition is being sponsored by the OVYN.

According to Bauman, the youth network’s goal is to uplift the hearts and minds of today’s youth while they use their talents to reflect the creative gift God instilled in them.

Officials ask contestants to submit the lyrics to their song along with their entry. The screening committee, which is composed of Ohio Valley Youth Network members, will have the final say on what is appropriate for the competition.

Another stipulation of the contest is the contestants must live within a 35-mile radius of Steubenville.

Criteria for judging includes spiritual or inspirational effectiveness, vocal or instrumental excellence and presentation — being the ability to engage and connect with the audience.

The grand prize winner who is the best overall — regardless of the category — will win $500. The first-place winner in each category will be awarded $100. The second-place finisher in each category will be given $25.

More than 850 people attended last year’s competition, Bauman said. He expects another crowd of that magnitude this year.

In addition to this year’s competitors, former Valley’s Got Talent winners, including Ashley Marina, who appeared on “America’s Got Talent,” will perform at the event.

Anyone who is unable to attend one of the in-person tryouts, although it is highly-recommended those trying out do so, can submit an online audition prior to 11:59 p.m. Nov. 16.

Songs must be submitted by way of YouTube, an e-mail link or a video link which can be accessed on the internet. The song or performance must be five minutes in length or less.

Online entries are to be submitted through e-mail to Bauman at bobbyjonbauman@gmail.com.

Those not able to attend the live event can watch the competition live on Facebook and on tape delay through the Steubenville City Schools Channel 15 on Comcast Cable television.

To register to try out, forms can be completed online at sycamorecenter.com/vgt. Those wanting to view highlights from last year’s competition can watch the video on YouTube at youtu.be/faG1piP9DJE?si=EA8TmPFCceJlJg6h. For information or questions, contact Bauman at (740) 409-2986.