GRAND ISLAND –The 150th Nebraska State Fair wrapped up earlier this month and as part of the festivities, the Nebraska State Fair and Vision Productions, Inc. presented the 15th Annual Galaxy of Stars® Talent Search two-day competition at Fonner Park in Grand Island.
The Semi-Finals were held on Saturday, August 31 and the Finals on Sunday, September 1st. Since its beginning in 1993, the Galaxy of Stars® Talent Search has grown to be the biggest talent search in Nebraska, featuring singers, dancers, instrumentalists and variety acts of all ages.
Westerville native and 2011 Ansley graduate Tazalea Scott placed third in the NOVAS (ages 19 & Over) division for her vocal performance. She received a third place trophy as well as a $100 cash prize following her fifth year of performing at the fair.
Scott has been singing since the age of three and has previously performed at events such as the Broken Bow Third Thursdays (Click here to view the July 2018 story), Custer County Ag Society Winter Ball, and many others. She told KCNI/KBBN she performed both an original song as well as a hit by Maren Morris.
“I had a wonderful time at the fair. That’s my fifth year performing down there! I love the exposure and the experience that it has given me! I performed my original ‘Nebraska Strong’ and also ‘My Church’ by Maren Morris,” Scott said.
Twenty-seven acts from across Nebraska competed on the CHI Health Stage in the Family Fun Zone. All Semi-Finalist Contestants received a Galaxy of Stars® Medal. The Highest Scoring performances in the Talent Search advanced to the Finals with contestants competing for over $7,500.00 in prizes, cash, trophies & a Nashville Recording Package.
The full list of results is listed below:
Age Division Awards:
COMETS (12 & Under)
1st Place $250.00 Cash & Trophy: Raegan Roebuck, Dance, Genoa
2nd Place $150.00 Cash & Trophy: Steps At Tiffany’s Prep Team,
Group Dance, Clarkson, Leigh, Howells
3rd Place $100.00 Cash & Trophy: Taelyn Baumert, Dance, Clarkson
SHOOTING STARS (13 to 18)
1st Place $250.00 Cash & Trophy: Azreyah Cole, Vocal, Lincoln
2nd Place $150.00 Cash & Trophy: BSD Dancers, Group Dance,
Columbus, Osceola, St. Edward
3rd Place $100.00 Cash & Trophy: Elise Anderson, Vocal, Lincoln
NOVAS (19 & Over)
1st Place $250.00 Cash & Trophy: Sonie Kuhlman, Vocal, North Platte
2nd Place $150.00 Cash & Trophy: Melissa McBride, Variety/Baton, Omaha
3rd Place $100.00 Cash & Trophy: Tazalea Scott, Vocal, Westerville
FINALISTS – Nineteen acts, listed in random order, advanced to the Finals:
COMETS (12 & Under) – Taelyn Baumert, Dance, Clarkson; Steps At Tiffany’s Prep Team, Dance: Tynzlee Hake, Clarkson; Jurnee Mullenhoff, Leigh; Addison Heard, Howells; Alyvea Groteluschen, Columbus; Ava Baumert, Clarkson; Ella Baumert, Clarkson; Chelsy Brabec, Clarkson; Raegan Roebuck, Dance, Genoa.
SHOOTING STARS (13 to 18) – Elise Anderson, Vocal, Lincoln; Sarah Koca, Vocal, Martell; The Renegades, Group Vocal: Aaron Vrbka (tenor), Bede Fulton (Lead), John Blatchford (Bass), Nik Barger (Baritone), Lincoln; Logan Becher, Leigh, & Quintessence Indra, Clarkson, Group Dance; Azreyah Cole, Vocal, Lincoln; Adysen Ziemann, Pleasant Dale, & Trinity McMillan, Crete, Group Dance; Daelyn Mues,Vocal, Culbertson; Taylor Smith, Vocal, Kearney; Chandler Schmit; Vocal/Guitar, Lincoln; BSD Dancers: Kenzie Tonniges, Osceola; Kianna Cruise, St Edward; Macyn Norris, Columbus; Morisyn Marker, Columbus; Emersyn Prososki, Osceola; Liberty Larsen, Columbus.
NOVAS (19 & Over) – Mason Harouff, Vocal, Lincoln; Melissa McBride, Variety/Baton, Omaha; Tazalea Scott, Vocal, Westerville; Jared Ehrke, Vocal, Lincoln; Sonie Kuhlman,
Vocal, North Platte; Breezy Ortega, Vocal, McCook.
NEBRASKA STATE FAIR AWARDS AND WINNERS
Cash Awards were presented by Vision Productions, Inc. and the Nebraska State Fair. Trophies and Medals presented by Awards Plus, Kelly Kava & Michelle Mariani, Grand Island, and Vision Productions, Inc. Nashville Recording Package for Overall Vocalist presented by Terri Krolikowski, Ideal Health, Lincoln, Mark Allen, Benchmark Productions, Nashville, and Vision Productions, Inc., Nashville.
Overall Awards:
MEGA STAR (Highest Scoring Contestant Overall)
$1,000.00 Cash & Trophy: Sonie Kuhlman, Vocal, North Platte
SHINING STAR (Highest Scoring Contestant(s) in Star Quality, “The Shine Factor”)
$100.00 Cash & Trophy: Sonie Kuhlman, Vocal, North Platte
SUPERSTAR (Voted Overall Best Performance by All Contestants)
$100.00 Cash & Trophy: Steps At Tiffany’s Prep Team:
Tynzlee Hake, Jurnee Mullenhoff, Addison Heard, Alyvea
Groteluschen, Ava Baumert, Ella Baumert, Chelsy Brabek
Group Dance, Clarkson, Leigh, Howells
PEOPLES CHOICE (Voted Overall Best Performance by Audience)
$100.00 Cash & Trophy: Steps At Tiffany’s Prep Team,
Group Dance, Clarkson, Leigh, Howells
DANCE AWARD (Highest Scoring Dance – All Age Divisions)
Raegan Roebuck, Genoa
VOCAL AWARD (Highest Scoring Individual or Group – All Age Divisions)
Presented by Terri Krolikowski, Ideal Health Lincoln, Mark Allen,
Benchmark Productions, Inc., Nashville, & Vision Productions, Inc.
Nashville Recording Package ($4,500.00 Value) – Includes Production
Consultation, National Song Search, Studio Musicians, Background
Singers, Produced, Mixed and Mastered.
Sonie Kuhlman, Vocal, North Platte
GALAXY OF STARS® FEATURED ENTERTAINERS included 2013 Mega Star Justin Kane, Oakland; 2017 Mega Star Carly Cremers, Hastings; Candace Sutter, Council Bluffs, IA; Katie Goesch, Gresham, and Janelle Grace, Nashville.
NEBRASKA STATE FAIR VETERANS DAY PROGRAM . . . Featured entertainer was 2013 Mega Star and Navy Veteran Justin Kane from Oakland.
