An annual event, this year’s middle school talent show marks the 52nd time that kids with all types of talent competed to be crowned the grand champion. Dean Falkenberg, 8th grade social studies teacher, has been the sponsor for this event for seven years, including this year, and loves hosting one of his favorite MV traditions.

“During the budget cuts, they dropped the pay for the talent show director,” said Mr. Falkenburg. “So the previous director refused to do the show again. The show had been going since I was in 7th grade, I didn’t want to see a tradition of around 35 years just die. So I volunteered to direct the show for free. I saved the show from death; I have stuck with it ever since.

“ I love hosting the show. I love watching people progress in the three weeks between auditions and the show. Some people improve one hundred percent. ”

The kids of the middle school worked their hardest, and competed with everything they had. At the end of the night, the winners were:

6th grade vocalist- Madison Hargrove

7th grade vocalist- Leila Owens

8th grade vocalist- Grace Marchal

Male vocalist- Daimon Anderson

Guitarist- Hannah Worpel

Dancer- Gracie King

Musician- Aysha Bennett

Grand Champ- Shelby Session