Stars of Tomorrow light up stage

By Ton Winter
Posted 3/21/18

Kiwanis Stars of Tomorrow has been a longstanding tradition in Platte County, showcasing the performing acumen of local youth. However, for the last couple of years the service organization has been working to encompass all the young artists by including visual arts in the production.

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Stars of Tomorrow light up stage

Posted

Kiwanis Stars of Tomorrow has been a longstanding tradition in Platte County, showcasing the performing acumen of local youth. However, for the last couple of years the service organization has been working to encompass all the young artists by including visual arts in the production. Wheatland is the only Kiwanis chapter that has a visual arts program, making the chapter unique and hopefully a trailblazer for other chapters.
Kiwanis held a gala Saturday evening at Wheatland High School. They welcomed all forms of art from area students and invited the public to enjoy art, live music from the WHS Jazz Band and hors d’oeuvres and fancy desserts made by Kiwanis members and the culinary arts students at WHS. Formal dress was requested of the attendees.
“There were suits and black dresses, very elegant,” said Kiwanian Gwen Seidel. “It wasn’t well attended, but it was the first year. Everyone said it was wonderful and we should do it again. We just need to start advertising it earlier.”
Lack of knowledge about both the gala and the performance held Sunday seemed to be a common conversation thread in the audience. Attendees were there because they had been informed by a performer it was happening, but otherwise had not heard any publicity about the event.
Backstage, before the performance Sunday, freshman Anna Cecil discussed why she decided to compete this year.

“My mom wanted me to give it a shot to prove that I could do anything I set my mind to,” Cecil said.
The dance foursome from Glendo was a welcome addition to the show. Emcee Tony Krotz announced during the show that Stars of Tomorrow is for all the youth in Platte County, not just the ones who live in Wheatland.
“There aren’t any opportunities for dance or cheer at my school,” explained Glendo student Madison Sanborn.
The four girls have been taking a dance class through Platte County Parks and Recreation taught by Lisa Andreen. Since they aren’t big enough to host their own recital, they performed at Stars of Tomorrow.
The audience was encouraged to vote for their favorite performer and their favorite piece of art in each age category. The people’s choice winners for art were: Group 1: “Roses” by Mya Whinery; Group 2: “Zebra” by Savannaha Haecker; Group 3: “Back in Black” by Grace Miller; Group 4: “From the Shadows” by Jared Meredith. The overall people’s choice winner was “Back in Black” by Miller.
Judge’s choice for the grand prize was “Woodland Elf; Catrina” by Hava Cundall. Judges for the visual arts were Chloe Butler, Lee Modesitt and B.J. Durr.
Performance winners were for Group 1: second place, Ember Bradley for her vocal performance “True Colors,” first place went to Mya Whinery for her song “Love” by Nat King Cole. Group 2: Third place to the vocal duo Andrew and Savannaha Haecker for their song “You Are My Home.” Second place went to Gracie Benson for her ukulele performance of “Ode to Joy.” Rory Winter won first place for her vocal and dance performance of “This Is Me” from the movie “Greatest Showman.” Group 3: fourth place was a dance quartet from Glendo including Madison Sanborn, Anne Buller, Emma Noyce and Jaiden Meredith; they danced to “Lollie.” Third place was Sage Henderson for her lyrical Irish step dance to “Mirage.” Makenzie Clyde won second place for her lyrical dance to “Antidote” by Faith Marie. First place was Anna Cecil for her flute solo of Bach’s Sonata No. 4 in C Major. Cecil was also the people’s choice winner. Group 4: Third place went to Quaid Cundall for his vocal solo, “Believe” from “The Polar Express.” Second place was a contemporary dance duet by Katie Currier and Emily Morford to “Small Things” by Ben Howard. First place was Amelia Winter for her vocal and dance performance of “Let Me Dance for You” from the musical “A Chorus Line.”
Judges for the performances were Kathy Garten, Slick Seidel and Chuck Ruwart.
Cecil, Currier and Morford will continue on to compete at the district level for Kiwanis Stars of Tomorrow on May 20 in Colorado.