Chamber holds talent showcase

The Loris Chamber of Commerce held the 8th Annual Talent Show at the Loris High School auditorium on Saturday, Feb.1, at 3 p.m.

Miss Loris Bog-Off Festival Queen Logan Knutson and Miss Loris Bog-Off Festival Teen Kaitlyn Courtney were the emcees for the day.  Knutson and Courtney presented the 37 performances of dance, solo dance and singing.  Miss Loris Bog-Off, Carroll Young, was selling tickets for the 50/50 give-away.

The three judges were Blair Gasque, Samantha Bryson and Angie Gattis.  Susan Ward was the auditor for the performances.

The many talented participants are Youth Division ages 5 to 10 years old, Junior Division ages 11 to 15 years old, Adult Division 16 years and up and the Group Division.

The awards received are first place $75 in each division; second place, $25 in each division; and third place received a ribbon in each division  The winners will perform at the Loris Spring Festival and the 41st Annual Loris Bog-Off Festival held in October. The Loris Spring Festival is in the planning stages. The chamber board of directors and executive director, Samantha Norris, are working diligently to create a fun event to bring people into Loris; information will be available soon.

Talents included interpretive dance both individual and group performances.  The group performances consisted of Hocus Pocus with a caldron with curly haired girls putting a spell on the audience; the Itsy Bitsy Spider with the group of young girls spinning a web hoping not to be washed away.  A solo dance performance with a medley of Michael Jackson songs along with the moonwalk brought cheers. Sarah Carroll sang How Great Thou Art, Mya Tyler sang Hallelujah and Emory West sang the country singer Scotty McCreery’s “See You Tonight” as he played the acoustic guitar.  West stated he traveled with his family and friend to Orlando to try out for the television show American Idol.  He said, “I tried out in front of a panel of 10 and two judges, but didn’t make it;” he continued, “my plan for the future is to travel when they hold the next try outs for The Voice.”  He said he selected the song, See You Tonight, because of his deep voice and that he likes the artist and the song.

During the presentation Knutson presented her platform promoting First Responders. She said, “I want to spread community awareness about the importance of our first responders.”  She has planned an event on Saturday, March 28, First Responders Appreciation Celebration fundraiser, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the corner of Meeting Street and Casey Street.  Knutson said, “This is an event for everyone no matter your age, come out and enjoy helping to raise funds for our hometown heroes.” She is also holding an art and essay contest for children in grades K-12; she asks parents to keep an eye on the flyers being sent home with the children.  Mark the date; there will be first responders, fire engines, entertainment and more.

Courtney stated she chose her platform for special needs because she is passionate about focusing on the Children’s Miracle Network and local children who have special needs. She has a family member with special needs; she also has a friend whose child was born with special needs who has overcome obstacles and challenges from birth to five years old.  This child has surpassed all the odds of successfully walking and talking and functioning as any other child, her mother, Mary Ann Courtney, said, “Kaitlyn is passionate about children with special needs and will seek out kids that are being left behind.” Courtney’s plans are to volunteer with the Buck Creek Foundation; she will travel to Greenville in April to participate in a special needs baseball game.  She has a full plate. At the age of 15 she keeps up her academics, plays softball, cheerleading and competitive dance as well as provide her voice to her platform.  She and Knutson will travel to Columbia in June to participate in the Miss South Carolina Pageant and the Miss Teen Pageant. Her mother, Mary Ann, said, “Kaitlyn is head-strong, when she believes in something or someone she makes it her passion. Another part of her platform is anti bullying, standing up for those who need her voice to help them”

While the judges were making their final decisions children in the audience were asked to come on stage and dance with the performers.  Once the judges made their determination as to first through third place winners in each division winners were recognized and given a medal. Norris said the talent show was a great success and ran smoothly.

In the year 2021 the chamber will hold its 9th Annual Talent Show.  When asked about talents performed Norris said they are open to any talent which includes singing and dancing.  She would like to see performers such as a stand-up comedian, actors performing a short scene from a play or a book.  Practice until next year and sign up to join in the fun of entertaining an audience filled with friends, family and citizens of Loris. 

Board members volunteered their time as this chamber event came to life.