Wesson kids display their talents

Special to Wesson News

Competitors in the Wesson Kids Got Talent show danced, sang, played instruments and displayed works of art.

Fifteen local children and youth between the ages of four and 18 years old demonstrated that they don’t take a backseat to their peers elsewhere when it comes to dancing, singing, playing musical instruments, the visual arts and more in the first Wesson Kids Got Talent competition sponsored by the Wesson Chamber of Commerce on the evening of May 1 in preparing the town for events of  Founder’s Day that followed on May 2.

Heavy rains moved the talent show scheduled to take place at the Community Foutain Garden beside the Milltown Salon and Spa to the American Legion Post 79 lodge where a capacity audience came to see and admire what local kids can do.

Dancers Katie and Kiki Garcia

Judges awarded Katie and Kiki Garcia first place honors for their dance duo. 

Sami Curole sang Proud to be an American. Colby Greer played drums.

Sami Curole and Colby Greer tied second in the competition.  The petite Curole wowed the judges and audience singing Proud to be an American and Greer showed he could out-perform even veteran adult drummers at his tender age.

Hannah Carroll won first place for her Mount Rushmore drawing in the visual arts category.

In the visual arts charcoal category, Hannah Carroll won first place for her Mount Rushmore drawing.

Molly Waltman won a second place for her oil painting.

Other kids in the competition were Mathew Waltman (pencil drawing), Killian Jackson (pencil drawing), Finn Jackson (pencil drawing), Oliver Jackson (pencil drawing), Clara Carroll (oil painting), Molly Waltman (oil painting), Tyrece Terrel (dance) and Josie Kennedy (piano).

Teri Bath, the Wesson Chamber President, says “Wesson is an amazing community with many hidden talents, and I wanted an opportunity to recognize this talent in a very public venue.”  Thus “Wesson Kids Got Talent” was born, stirring much excitement in the area.

Alderman Stanley Martin, owner of Super Sounds DJ & Karaoke and one of the judges,

adds, “it’s not just a show,” explaining that big talent often comes from small towns. “This is a chance for our community to come together, support our youth and celebrate the bright future growing right here at home.”

From the many Mississippians that have recently been selected for hit TV shows such as “American Idol” and “The Voice,” “it’s exciting to think about the talent we have here in Wesson, and who could be discovered next, says Jessica Breazeale, Chamber member and a local business owner.  Jamal Roberts from Meridian was an American Idol winner last year.

The talent show winners received cash prizes from the $5 per person application fees to participate and other support for the event.