Local students help make
Talent Revue a huge success
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Youth from as far away as Limestone and New Brunswick took to the stage March 6, hoping to win one of four top spots at the Kiwanis Club’s annual Talent Revue, held at Presque Isle Middle School. The show provided an opportunity for students from elementary through college to share their skills, with the chance to win an award for their efforts.
This marked the 58th year for the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club’s annual fund-raiser. Money raised goes toward a variety of youth-oriented and community projects.
“The Presque Isle Kiwanis Club has been involved in local and international charities for 60 years. We’re proud to contribute to many worthy causes and sponsor a number of services, projects and programs,” said A.J. Cloukey, Kiwanis Club president.
The following is a list of some of the projects the club sponsors: Talent Revue, scholarships, child health and dental services, Home & Recreation Show, Presque Isle High School Key Club, RIF (Reading is Fundamental) program, Sinawik/NMCC home building project and Christmas baskets that provide food and toys to local families.
Serving as emcees for the evening were Shawn Cunningham and Keith Madore, who entertained the audience between performances with an assortment of jokes and lighthearted quips and quotes. Judges for the evening included: Renee Felini, Susan Watson and Carol Ann McElwee.
Contestants competed in four divisions: Elementary School, Middle School, High School and College. Awards were presented in each category for first and second place.
Winning in the Elementary School Division were the MoonDance Star Cloggers. The group included Yessinia Vilar, Kimberly Cook and Emily Simonds. The trio performed to the tune, “Pocket Full of Sunshine.” Placing second was Mayce Kinney, who sang “Jesus Take the Wheel.”
In the Middle School category, Allison Jimenez placed first with her vocal rendition of “No One.” Finishing second was Kimiye Gamblin, a Perth-Andover student who showed off her fiddle skills on a ‘fiddlehead green’ instrument.
First-place honors in the High School Division went to the MoonDance Star Cloggers, who took to the stage dancing to Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.” Finishing in second place was Ashley Soucy, who sang “Beautiful.”
Originality took top honors in the College Division, with Jasmyn Shaw playing guitar to an original composition titled “Green.” Shayna da Cruz, who performed a hip-hop dance routine to “Do You Remember — Bring It Back, took home the second-place award.
Also competing in this year’s Talent Revue were, in the Elementary School Division:
• Northstar Twirlers’ Mini Marchers Baton group, made up of Reagan Davis, Jenna Roach, Morgan Fuller and Mia Theriault, performing to “Super Girl;”
• Abigail Shaw who sang “Light a Candle” for her talent; and
• Northstar Twirlers’ Star Strutters Pom-Pom squad doing a routine to “Party in the U.S.A.” Members included Alya Theriault, Kenney Bencivenga, Kourtney West, Taylor Devoe, Trinity St. Pierre and Annabell Pelletier.
Contestants in the Middle School Division included:
• Dylan Shaw, a grade 7 student, who sang Super Tramp’s “Logical Song;”
• Stephanie Winslow offered a flute solo to “Fleur de Lis;” and
• Alanna Orcutt took to the microphone, singing “The Only Exception.”
In the High School Division, contestants included:
• Sarah Gorneault used the tune “Fireflies” by Owl City while performing a lyrical jazz dance; and
• The Northstar Twirlers’ Show Stars Dance team danced to a medley of Michael Jackson hits. Members of the team included Mackenzie Beaulieu, Emily St. Pierre, Freem Cyr, Jessica Stackhouse, Delaney Rossignol and Chelsea LaBreck.
Providing entertainment while the judges determined the winners were members of the Presque Isle High School Key Club, who performed a variety of dance moves to the theme, “The History of Dance.”
Winning the award for highest ticket sales at this year’s event was Kimberly Cook.
Also joining the evening of fun was Jan Kok, who provided piano accompaniment as participants and audience members sang “America the Beautiful.” Kok has been an active part of the Talent Revue program, working with the Kiwanis project for over 50 years.
The next project on the Kiwanis Club calendar will be the 27th annual Home & Recreation Show coming up on April 17 and 18. The show will be held at the Forum in Presque Isle.
Staff photos/Kathy McCarty

PLACING FIRST in the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club’s Talent Revue, in the Elementary School Division, were MoonDance Junior Cloggers, from left: Yessinia Vilar, Kimberly Cook and Emily Simonds.

ORIGINALITY PAYS OFF — Jasmyn Shaw, performing an original song, took first place in the College Division at this year’s Talent Revue, held March 6 in Presque Isle.

DANCING THEIR WAY TO VICTORY — The MoonDance Star Cloggers took first place at this year’s Talent Revue, performing in the High School Division. Pictured, from left: Sara Gilson, Julea Gorneault, Sarah McEachern, Shayna da Cruz, Chelsea Simonds and Erica Hemphill.

ALLISON JIMENEZ was named the winner in the Middle School Division at the March 6 Talent Revue, hosted by the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club.

ORIGINALITY PAYS OFF — Jasmyn Shaw, performing an original song, took first place in the College Division at this year’s Talent Revue, held March 6 in Presque Isle.

SARAH GORNEAULT did a lyrical jazz dance routine, performing in the High School Division, during the Talent Revue.

FIDDLING AROUND earned Kimiye Gamblin second place in the Middle School Division during the Kiwanis Club’s Talent Revue March 6 in Presque Isle.

ASHLEY SOUCY took second place in the High School Division, singing during the Kiwanis Club’s Talent Revue.

TAKING TO THE STAGE in the Middle School Division during the annual Kiwanis talent show was Alannah Orcutt.

NORTHSTAR TWIRLERS’ Mini Marchers Baton group performed at this year’s Talent Revue in Presque Isle. Pictured, in back, from left: Reagan Davis, Jenna Roach and Morgan Fuller. Kneeling in front is Mia Theriault.

STEPHANIE WINSLOW performed a flute solo during the Kiwanis Talent Revue, held March 6 at the Presque Isle Middle School Auditorium.

SHAYNA da CRUZ took second place in the College Division, with a hip-hop dance routine, at the Kiwanis Club’s annual talent event, held at the Presque Isle Middle School Auditorium March 6.

NORTHSTAR TWIRLERS’ Show Stars Dance team performed a medley of Michael Jackson hits during the annual Talent Revue, held March 6 in Presque Isle. Pictured, from left Mackenzie Beaulieu, Emily St. Pierre, Freem Cyr, Jessica Stackhouse, Delaney Rossignol and Chelsea LaBreck.

READY FOR THE ‘POM’ — Northstar Twirlers’ Star Strutters Pom-Pom team performed at the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club’s annual Talent Revue, held March 6. Pictured, from left: Alya Theriault, Kennedy Bencivenga, Kourtney West, Taylor Devoe, Trinity St. Pierre and Annabell Pelletier.

MAYCE KINNEY took second place with a song at this year’s Kiwanis Talent Revue, held in Prseque Isle March 6.

DYLAN SHAW, a seventh-grade student at Presque Isle Middle School, was one of several talented youth who took part in the annual Talent Revue.