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Charger Star Search finds motherlode
BY MARGO OXENDINE
 | | Winning in the instrumental category, Sage Tanguay (l) and William Barden (c) received their award from host Joe Haney (r). Tanguay and Barden played the drums and guitar, respectively, on a song by the White Stripes, "Catch Hell Blues." (Recorder photos by Cynthia B. Coleman) |
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WARM SPRINGS - It was Bath's very own version of "American Idol."
The sixth annual talent show sponsored by the Bath County High School Achievement Booster Club attracted close to a full house of spectators, and the entertainment featured something for every taste.
And, just like "American Idol," there was a table of discerning judges, wisecracking hosts, a roster of undiscovered talent, a few laughs, and probably even a few tears. The show last Saturday night got off to a rousing start with the Color Guard, which usually appears with the awardwinning marching band. This night, though, the music was Michael Jackson's "Thriller," perfectly suited to the highprancing performance.
The crowd was jazzed and ready for more when the first of the evening's 19 acts took the stage. They weren't disappointed; Justin Hall played guitar while Laura Schneider sang a song she'd composed herself, with the BCHS Class of 2009 in mind. Schneider, who possesses a great voice with good range and a riveting stage presence, also rendered a second vocal, "Lessons Learned," by 2006 Idol winner Carrie Underwood.
 | | Winning best vocal performance for "Indescribable," by Chris Tomlin, Kirsten Richardson (l) receives her award from host Michael Sharp. |
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Vocal performances dominated the evening. The impossibly darling duo of Gracie Neutelings and Afton Brinkley, eighth-graders, sang "All You Wanted," by Michelle Branch. Sara Hall, sister to guitarist Justin, started Rachel Lampa's "When I Fall" with a whisper, and ended with a rousing finish easily reaching the back row of the 888-seat auditorium. Crowd-pleaser Allison Kincaid sang "Let's Dance" by Sara Evans, and Jenna Crummett, clad in a tasteful, perfect outfit, was confident in her presentation of "Come Ride with Me." Allison Ryder, shy and sweet, offered "Probably Wouldn't Be This Way," by Lee Ann Rimes.
 | | Below: For reading her original poem, "The Forest," Carla Fry won for best poetry reading. |
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Vocalist Kirsten Richardson, a senior, took home the prize for that category with "Indescribable," by Chris Tomlin.
Had there been a prize for "best vocal chutzpah," the hands-down winners would have been the duo of Michael Simmons and Victoria Horne, with the classic "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." That tune has been belted out by many, but never quite like this. Simmons' antics, dancing and gestures, and the obvious bond between he and Horne, brought some of the crowd to their feet.
The dance category proved the most difficult to judge. How does one choose the single best from three excellent entries? Emily Plecker took the stage first, in a top-notch performance to Flo Rida's "Low," complete with light show. Then, the amazing Sally Campbell owned the stage with her energetic acrobatics to Rihanna's "Please Don't Stop the Music." Finally, there was Spanish teacher Gloria Garzon's dance troupe, in stunning costume, performing the Paso Doble, which is Spanish for "two step." The troupe included Garzon's daughter Gloria Moncada, Kaitlyn Miller, Jacob Ingram, Amber Allen, Maddie O'Cull, Ryan Newmarker and Brittany Markum. They took home the dance category prize.
 | | Charger Star Search talent show masters of ceremonies Joe Haney (l) and Michael Sharp (r) announce one of the many door prizes offered by local businesses and sponsors. |
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The two Fry sisters, Carla and Chelsea, each competed in the poetry category, with original compositions; Carla captured the prize for "The Forest."
When it came to comedy, the hilarious Haneys, Alex and Isaac, owned the stage. The brothers performed a Bob Newhart skit, "The Driving Instructor," and kept the crowd in stitches. Alex also entered the instrumental category, playing several selections on his recorder, including one dedicated to two friends who had married earlier in the day. Alex Haney's stage presence, though, had the earmarks of a much more experienced comic; this creative and original talent shone through in his instrumental presentation, and judges made a last-minute decision to change his category to comedy, and award him the prize.
 | | For dancing the paso doble, a Spanish ballroom dance, members of the Spanish language club won best dance performance. The troupe included Amber Allen, Jacob Ingram, Brittany Markum, Kaitlyn Miller, Gloria Moncada, Maddie O'Cull and Ryan Newmarker. Pictured dancing sans partners (l-r) are: Gloria Moncada, Kaitlyn Miller and Brittany Markum. |
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The prize for instrumental went to eighth-graders Sage Tanguay and William Barden, a guitar and drums duo, with their rendition of "Catch Hell Blues" by White Stripes. Chelsea Fry also competed, playing Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" on the piano.
The crowd favorite for the night, though, was a rock band called "Running Riot." The fivepiece ensemble featured Andrew Lacks on drums, Justin Hall and Blake Reese on guitars, Liz Halterman on bass and vocalist Sara Hall. Their blow-out original tune, "Never Ending," brought the crowd to its feet again, many of the younger audience members screaming and hooting with delight. Since the audience was welcomed to vote for its favorite act, this one, which also took the vocal/ instrumental prize, took home the top honor, too.
 | | Running Riot band members were thrilled when they won the best in show grand prize, voted on by the audience. Pictured (l-r) are: Sara Hall, Blake Reese, Justin Hall, Liz Halterman and host Joe Haney. |
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There was barely a free moment to catch one's breath during the two-hour-plus show. Emcees Michael Sharp and Joe Haney kept the banter going between acts, also awarding door prizes from a host of sponsors. Intermission came at the end of the show; while judges were making their tough decisions, the crowd munched on complimentary cookies and voted for their favorite act. After a stunning dance and light show from the Chatelaines, it was time for Achievement Boosters president Sandra Anderson to award the prizes. Every performer deserved something, and First National Bank in Hot Springs saw to that: gold coins for everyone. And respectful appreciation from those lucky folks in the audience.
 | | Justin Hall (l) and Blake Reese (r) rock out on the guitars together to Running Riot's song, "Never Ending." |
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 | | Capping off the night's show, during the intermission, was the thrilling performance by the BCHS Chatelaines, who put on dazzling light show that often left one wondering how this or that effect was accomplished. How ever they worked the multicolored light sticks, the show was precision perfect and magical. (Recorder photos by Cynthia B. Coleman) |
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 | | Rocking out on "Running Riot's" original song, which won the vocal instrumental award, is Blake Reese on guitar, who wowed the crowd with his rockstar moves, both across the stage and on guitar. |
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 | | Singing together, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," Michael Simmons got down in his grove while Victoria Horne rose to new heights as they sang their duet. |
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