HOMECOMERS TALENT CONTEST PROVIDES RITE OF PASSAGE FOR YOUTH

JACKSON, Mo. -- Performing in the Homecomers Talent Contest is a rite of passage for Jackson youths. Many of the parents and grandparents sitting in the lawn chairs and applauding the contestants during Homecomers week had their day up on the stage in front of the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse.

Eleven-year-old Bailey Duncan is a seasoned veteran now in her third year of competing in the contest. In Friday night's finals, she wore a spangled military outfit as she belted out Bette Midler's song "Stuff Like That" from the movie "For the Boys."

Her assurance contrasted with her 8-year-old brother Law's admitted nervousness before he went on stage to be in his first Homecomers Talent Contest.

When introduced, Law stood at the back of the stage in his Hawaiian shirt to sing his rendition of the country song "I Think She Likes Me." He only danced a bit during the instrumental breaks, but when he did the crowd cheered.

Varied motivations

Performing thrills Bailey. The enticement is different for Law. His mother, Melanie, promised to buy him a Nintendo game if he took voice lessons this summer.

This is Law's third talent contest of the summer. At his first performance in Chaffee, Mo., he told his mother his legs wouldn't stop shaking. "Every time he gets better," she mother said.

Bailey and Law get their willingness to perform in public naturally. Their mother twice competed in the Miss Missouri Pageant and is a former Mrs. Missouri. She is a guidance counselor at Jackson High School.

Her husband, Sam, is the director of state and federal programs for the Jackson schools. He grew up performing at church and says it's good training for children.

"I'm glad they do it," he said. "It's great for all kids to get up in front of other people."

Said Melanie, "If they can do this and not get nervous it will help them later in life."

Award winners

Stacy Rucker, dancing to "Fame," finished first in the talent finals for ages 6-12 Friday night. A dance group composed of Barbara Gillard, Amanda Whaley, Christine Sturms and Rachel Sprandle was second, dancing to "Just Got Paid." Donielle Howell was third, singing "I Just Want to be a Star." A dance group composed of Jessica Fallert, Aundrea Palmer, Lindsey Herzog, Nicole Search, Stacy Rucker and Kelsey Inman finished fourth, dancing to "Turn the Beat Around."

Singing "One Voice," Adam Reinagel was the top winner in the age 13-21 category. Ashley Allmon sang "Unchained Melody" to place second. Ashley Allmon and Adam Reinagel took third place with a duet medley titled "Simply Classic." Fourth place went to Lauren Froemsdorf, who danced to "Some Days You Gotta Dance."

Going to Memphis

All 12 acts in the senior division were invited to compete in the Mid-South Fair in Memphis later this year. This is the first time the judge from the fair has invited all the Homecomers entrants to Memphis.

Today is Kids Day, the final day of Homecomers. Children's games and activities are scheduled to begin at 3 p.m., and children's carnival rides beginning at 4 p.m. Folk singer Jennifer Noble will perform songs for children from 3-5 p.m.

The Miss Homecomers Contest will begin at 8 p.m., followed by music by the Country Touch Band. The American Legion grand prize drawing will be held at 10:30 p.m.