Talent, Art Are Showcased Saturday

Eleven acts competed in three different divisions Saturday evening at the Monticello Civic Club 38th annual talent showcase.

In the senior division, America Strickland (left in photo at right) placed first, Ryan Henderson placed second, and Jared Murray placed third.

Miss Strickland played the ukulele and sang, while each of the young men played the guitar.

In the middle school division, Kate Schilling (left, middle photo) placed first for her piano playing and TarevaChine Lightfoot placed second playing the euphonium.

In the youngest class, Hadley Hodges (bottom photo, right) placed first with her tap dancing; second place went to the duo of Ryker Harty on violin and Faraday Harty on cello (middle), and third place went to Lexi Tillman (left) who composed her own music and played the piano to her composition.

More than 50 art entries were submitted, and judging took place Friday evening. with winners being notified Saturday, and most were at the showcase to receive their prizes.

Art winners in the senior division were named for both 2D and 3D submissions. Mari Jablonski with her folded paper project took best of show. The colorful piece was made using 3,019 pieces of folded paper.

Sara Shaw took second and Gabe Tarpley placed third in overall winners.

Other 3D art winners included Sara Shaw, second, Lindsey Parr, third, and Savannah Mosley, honorable mention. Other 2D art winners included Gabe Tarpley, first; Austin Bennett, second, and Dorian Whitlock, third.

For the middle school, Evelyn Atkinson placed first; Angela Gabriel was second; Camara Campbell was third, and Bailey Mobley received honorable mention.

For the primary school, Lexi Tillman placed first, Ryker Harty was second, and Madalynn Bryant placed third.

The showcase was emceed by Stone Workman in his 21st year of that role.

Monies raised from the showcase benefit Civic Club charities, which include Ferst Foundation, the library, the Mentor program, the ML&J Fund, 4-H, and the art and music programs at each of the schools.

The Monticello Civic Club welcomes new members—people who care about the community and went to be a part of a group that believes in giving back. The club meets at the first and third Thursdays of each month at the fellowship hall of Monticello First United Methodist Church. After lunch, there is usually an informative program, generally from a group or an individual here in the community. Each month the club also recognizes a high school student of the month and his or her teacher.

Those interested in attending may just visit, or call ahead to Kathy Mudd, president, 706-318-7396 so we have an accurate lunch count