Winners of Stecoah ‘Mountain Youth Talent Contest’
The second traditional Appalachian talent showcase, the Heritage Alive! Mountain Youth Talent Contest, was held at the Bluegrass Festival May 16 at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center in Robbinsville.
Cash prizes were furnished by Stecoah Valley Center, Catch the Spirit of Appalachia, and Jackson County 4-H. The “Best of Show” first place winner chosen from the group of talented youth was Caleb Turpin from Robbinsville. He will join our other “Best of Show” winners from the talent shows held at Greening up the Mountains in Sylva and the upcoming Great Smoky Mountain Railroad’s RAILFEST in Bryson City. Each of the three contest winners will perform on stage at the Mountain Heritage Day held at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee on Sept. 26.
Fiddle—Youth
1st: Summer Davis, Bryson City (11)
2nd: Sayumi DeSilva, Sylva (9)
Guitar—Youth
1st: Drey Keener, Robbinsville (12)
2nd: Caleb Turpin, Robbinsville (10)
Youth—Mandolin
1st: Caleb Turpin, Robbinsville (10)
Vocal—Young
1st: Emily Franklin, Bryson City (12)
2nd: Summer Davis, Bryson City (11)
3rd: Caleb Turpin, Robbinsville (10)
Groups
1st: Caleb Turpin & Drey Keener, Robbinsville
2nd: Dlijah & Booth Bassett, Robbinsville (13 and 11)
Vocal—Teen
1st: Iris Deyman, Pisgah Forest (14)
2nd: Destinee Cable, Robbinsville (14)
Mandolin—Teen
1st: Joshua Jones, Robbinsville (13)
Guitar—Teen
1st: Luke Aldridge, Robbinsville (17)
Fiddle—Teen
1st: Joshua Jones, Robbinsville (13)