Valerie Cassity-Special to the Sun

The Exchange Club's annual Search for Talent proved once again that there are many rising stars in the Kern River Valley. The competition took place last Saturday, March 10, at the Kernville Elementary School, where 15 acts vied for the first place slot in three different categories: primary (ages 5-9), junior (ages 10-14), and senior (ages 15-18).

The event began with an invocation from Pastor Kathleen Mahoney, followed by the salute to the flag led by members of Boy Scout Troop 690 and the National Anthem, sung by Jacqueline Miller, who had won the contest several times and returned this year as a judge.

First place winner in the Search For Talent show in the senior divsion Danica Vittoria performs Saturday night.

This year's emcee was Andie Bolt, who won the contest several times while growing up in the Kern Valley and has since moved to Hollywood to pursue her career in acting. She has appeared in ER and several commercials, and performs with the Upright Citizens Brigade comedy troupe. Bolt was also instrumental in getting a petition started to build a performing arts center built at Kern Valley High School, and is very pleased to see that becoming a reality.

“Kids don't have as much an outlet for the arts here as they should; the Search for Talent contest gives them the opportunity to do something with their talent,” said Bolt, “It certainly was instrumental in getting me started in my career.”

The Exchange Club, a community service organization that is very active in the Kern River Valley, has been putting on the Search for Talent competition for 15+ years to encourage young talent to continue in their pursuit of excellence in the fine arts. None of the acts went home without a trophy that featured stars suspended above them.

Although there were no losers, and all of the acts were wonderful and unique, there were some definite winners. At the primary age level, first place was given to Marissa Skates, who performed a lively jazz dance to Michael Jackson's “Don't Stop.” Second place was awarded to Kara Campbell, Amber Woolwine, and Edgar Carmona, who jumped rope to the song “Allstar.” There was no third place winner in this division, as it held only the two acts.

In the junior level, first place was awarded to jazz dancer Lyndsey Braswell, who had written for her opening remarks that, “Dancing is passion.” In second place was Emily Rose Carde, who performed two challenging Beethoven pieces on the piano. Third place in the junior level went to Lela Loseth, who performed an enthusiastic hip hop dance routine to the song “Here I Am.” Although she did not place in the top three, worth an honorable mention is Jennifer Ewel, who sang the Elvis hit “Blue Suede Shoes” with an amazing country-style voice while her father played guitar from behind the stage.

For the senior level, Danica Vittoria claimed first place with her character dance with great grace and technique to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

In second place was Jessica Coble who sang “Think of Me” from Phantom of the Opera, showing amazing range and poise.

Third place was awarded to Randi Kirby, who performed a modern dance to “Amazing Grace.” Both Vittoria's and Kirby's dances were choreographed by Tracie Whitman.

The first and second place contestants from each of the three age categories will move on to the regional Search for Talent competition, which will take place on May 5, in Bakersfield, and will include competitors from Ridgecrest, Bakersfield, and the Kern River Valley.

Those who place first and second in each category of the regional competition will move on to compete at the district competition at the annual Exchange Club District Convention in June that will include competitors from Central California through Central Nevada.

The grand prize for each division at that contest is a $1,000 savings bond.