Tusky Days features Talent Showcase
The crowd was impressed with Ethan Collins of Newcomerstown. Though autistic and legally blind, Ethan plays the piano and sings the national anthem at Special Olympics games.
No one envied the judges at the annual Tusky Days Talent Showcase on Saturday, June 15 as 11 talented performers took the stage. Three winners took the cash prizes of $75, $50 and $25, but there were many standout performances.
“They had a very tough time deciding the winners,” said Marc Davis of New Philadelphia, the talent show host.
Winning first place was Camryn Albaugh, age 12 of Dover, who sang “idontwannabeyouanymore,” a song by Billie Eilish.
“It is the first time I won a competition,” said Albaugh, who has been singing since she was 4 years old.
Albaugh explained her plans for future performances. “I really like musicals,” said Albaugh, who was in the Little Theatre’s “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” last year. “The next one I have time for, I’ll probably audition.”
Albaugh also plays basketball and softball. She likes to read. “I love school,” she said, adding math is her favorite subject, although her best subject is social studies.
Cheering on the winner was her twin sister, Caycee, who can sing but prefers not to in public, Albaugh said.
In her first talent competition ever, Addie Steed of Dover admitted to being very nervous, but it didn’t show. The judges and the crowd alike enjoyed her ukulele and vocal performance of “Happier,” which won her second place and $50. She plans to use her winnings to help purchase a new guitar or a music stand.
Taking third place and $25 was Belle Fockler of New Philadelphia. Fockler sang “Good Morning Baltimore” from the musical, "Hair Spray." A reading enthusiast, Fockler plans to purchase books with her prize. Fockler has been singing since the age of 6. She is active in Little Theatre and also appeared in “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” last year.
Overcoming obstacles to do your best is always noteworthy, and the crowd was impressed with Ethan Collins of Newcomerstown. Though autistic and legally blind, Collins plays the piano and sings the national anthem at Special Olympics games. For the talent show, he showed off his vocal skills by singing "H.O.L.Y." and received a round of applause and much appreciation from the audience.
The judges commended singer and guitar player Chris McVey of Newcomerstown for his improved skills from last year’s show. They appreciated his hard work and dedication to developing his skills.
Other contestants were vocalists Sami Krocker of Goshen, Alyssa Ford of Uhrichsville, Cami Steed of Dover, Tori Brazil of West Lafayette and Reece Wires of Gnadenhutten. Gymnast Ameerah Garnes of Massillon also performed. All performers were awarded a door prize for attending.
The judges were Linda Carpenter and Shana Simmons, both of the Dover-Phila Credit Union, and Carolyn Johns. All of them reside in Tuscarawas.
“I’m very happy with the turnout. We had two more contestants than last year,” said Davis, who has served as host for both years the show has been held. “The talent level was amazing. I’m glad I wasn’t a judge.”
Hitchcock Sound provided audio services for the show.
Davis thanked the participants for attending and reminded them there are still a few upcoming talent shows at other area festivals including Cy Young Days, Gnadenhutten Fire Works Festival and First Town Days.