HOMECOMERS STRUT THEIR STUFF

Annual talent event shows off youth singing, dancing

By Sam Blackwell ~ Southeast Missourian

JACKSON, Mo. -- Six Jackson High School senior boys who have been singing together in choirs since they were freshmen won the top prize in the Homecomers talent contest Friday night.

Boyz 6 wowed the judges with an a cappella version of the Huey Lewis and the News remake of the doo-wop song "But It's Alright." Members of the group are Brandon Andrews, James Fortner, Nathan Penland, Sam Gregg, Mitchell Casteel and Stuart Knowlan.

It was a good night for males in the senior division of the contest as Adam Reinagel, who won the contest as part of a duet last year, finished second with his rendition of his vocal idol Billy Gilman's song ""There's a Hero." Reinagel, a 14-year-old freshman at Notre Dame Regional High School, and his duet partner, Ashley Allmon, took third place this year. They sang "One" from the musical "A Chorus Line."

Girls ruled the junior division for ages 6 to 12. The six colorfully costumed Sikeston, Mo., girls in "Yankee Doodle" tap-danced their way to first place. The girls are Cassie Sweetin, Lini Ross, Haleigh Vowels, Caroline Nace, Lauren Little and Claire Jones.

Katie Boyer, dressed in a red polka-dot dress and carrying a parasol, took second place with her medley from the musical "Oklahoma!" Third was Kaitlyn Robinson, who showed off a big voice singing "We Go Together."

The top three places in the senior division won the right to compete at the Mid-South Fair in Memphis, Tenn., at the end of September. The judge from the fair also chose the dancers in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" and dancer Laci Thorne of Jackson to compete in the contest. The dancers in "Cat" are Amanda Whaley, Barbara Gillard, Christine Sturms and Rachel Sprandle, all from Jackson.

Though everybody couldn't win, there were other memorable performances. Amanda Whaley, wearing a white feather boa and lots of attitude, danced to the Lou Bega song "The Most Expensive Girl." Drew Hosp, son of Jackson singer Robyn Hosp, drew a big response from the crowd singing and dancing to the Blues Brothers hit "Soul Man."

Today's finale of Homecomers will present gospel music on the talent stage from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. followed by the queen contest at 8 p.m. Entertainment during the queen contest will be provided by Beth Roethemeyer, Casie Janet and Shane Steck. The queen candidates are: Casey Bauer of Cape Girardeau, Hailey Clardy of Jackson, Mandie Foltz of Jackson, Jennifer Kaelin of Cape Girardeau, Ashley Latimer of Jackson, Alicia Maschmeier of Oak Ridge, Mo., Jennifer Nicole Raper of Benton, Mo., Lisa Roe of Cape Girardeau and Paige Thomason of Bernie, Mo.

sblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182