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Kids’ talent on display at Sycamore Center

STEUBENVILLE -- Ohio Valley kids showed off their talents in 24 unique acts during the third-annual Valley's Got Talent Kids Edition competition Friday at the Sycamore Youth Center.

The free event saw kids ages 8 to 13 dance, sing, play instruments and spin batons and flags for a chance to win $500 in cash prizes. Participants were judged by a five-person panel, which looked for vocal or instrumental excellence, connection with the audience and spiritual and inspirational effectiveness.

Bobbyjon Bauman, founder and director of the Sycamore Center, said he created the VGT Kids Edition as a counterpart to the original Valley's Got Talent competition, which has been ongoing for 10 years and includes youth ages 13 to 23. Both competitions are aimed at "uplifting the hearts and minds of our youth as they use their gifts to reflect God's creative gifts in their lives."

This year's overall winner was Destiny Angelucci, 11, who competed in the vocal soloist category. A homeschool student, Angelucci sang "An Easter Hallelujah" by Cassandra and Callahan Star.

Dalana Bove, 2023 VGT Kids overall winner, presented Angelucci with the prize, continuing the tradition of last year's winner announcing the new winner.

The win came as a surprise, Angelucci said, adding, "When I didn't hear my name when (Bove) said the vocal soloists, I was kind of like 'Oh, darn.' But then he announced my name as overall winner, and I was like 'Huh?'"

Angelucci, who has participated in VGT Kids since it began, said she's been taking vocal lessons for the last three years but has been singing "ever since I was born." She had intended to perform "Hallelujah" as it was originally written, but decided to perform the Easter version when she learned the competition would occur near the holiday. Preparing for the competition took several months of practice, she said.

Present to support Angelucci was her grandfather, Aaron Kuhens, who is known to Angelucci and the other grandkids as "Happy." Kuhens said Angelucci's performance was "excellent," adding, "She's blessed my life so much."

Winning first place in the choir category was the Sycamore Classical Choir, followed by runners-up the Edison Rising Stars Choir.

First place in the miscellaneous solo category went to Cavell Wade, 11, who performed a baton and flag routine set to "Still God" by Passionate Life Church. Wade is enrolled in Speiro Academy, a nonprofit Christian school in Martins Ferry.

Following Wade in second place was Justice Evans, 11, Speiro, who performed a flag routine set to "Numb" by Bear Cline. In third place was Illeana Mitchell, 13, Speiro, who performed a baton and flag routine set to "Praise (Alastair Remix)" by Elevation Worship.

Winning first place in the miscellaneous duo category was the Speiro Auxiliary Duo for its baton routine set to "You've Got a Friend in Me" by Randy Newman.

First place in the dance group category went to the DFE Mini Elites, composed of Scarlet Schey, Ellie Busick, Logan Hickey, Jona Parikakis, Sadie Shonkwiler and Londyn Crummitt. Taking second place was the Sycamore Children's Folk Dance Group.

Winning first place in the vocal/instrumentalist solo category was Joseph Seibert, 12, homeschool, who played "Amazing Grace on the piano. In second place was Roman Yankello, 13, David E. Williams Middle School, who sang and played piano to "Fighting for Me" by Riley Clemmons. In third place was Selah Cline, 8, Speiro, who sang and played piano to "Build My Life" by Pat Barrett. Also participating were Dylan Osaba, 8, Pugliese West Elementary School, who played "Amazing Grace" on the piano, and Genevieve Wurzler, 11, South Fayette Intermediate School, who sang "Count on Me" by Bruno Mars.

First place in the vocal solo category went to Willow Cline, 11, Speiro, who sang "When I'm With You" by J.J. Heller. In second place was Kendall McCourt, 9, Stanton Elementary School, who sang "Safe & Sound" by Taylor Swift. In third place was Nikolas Kline, 13, Edison Junior High School, who sang "Cedar Hill" by Mark Patterson. Also participating was Michael Kline, 10, Stanton Elementary School, who sang "You Are So Good To Me" by Third Day.

Winning first place in the vocal group and ban category was the Twilight Lake Band of Speiro, composed of Rowan Cline, Willow Cline, Cavell Wade, Brylee Woods and Chad McFadden. In second place were Coeli Wingerter, 10, and Agatha Lensing, 11, both homeschool, who sang "Triumphant Leader" by the church fathers.

First place in the dance solo category went to Miriam Free, 13, homeschool, who danced to "Wave Walker" by Citizen Way. In second place was Avrie Deah, 10, Pugliese, who danced to "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton. In third place was Braelynn Lancaster, 9, Weirton Elementary School, who danced to "Concrete Angel" by Martina McBride. Also participating was Braelynn Morris, 12, Brooke Middle School, who danced to "Rescue" by Lauren Daigle.

Judges included Darlene Van Dyke, Christian contemporary music soloist; Charlene A. Dawkins, gospel singer and organist; Brent Kimball, vocalist and VGT 2017 overall winner; Rick Hicks, Steubenville City Schools band director, and Sandy Pucci, vocal coach and Christian contemporary performer.

As the judges deliberated, special guest performers took the stage, including Cecelia Wurzler, 2021 VGT Kids overall winner; Dalana Bove; Lynzee Ensell, 2021 VGT Kids overall winner; Ashley Marina, 2019 VGT overall winner and America's Got Talent competitor, and Emaly Elerick.

Elerick also acted as co-master of ceremonies for the night. Currently fundraising for a mission trip in Africa, Elerick is a previous VGT participant, having earned second place in the vocal duet category.

Hotdogs, cotton candy and snow cones were offered in the center's foyer, where VGT Kids T-shirts bearing participants' names were sold as well.