Happy Valley’s Got Talent to Showcase Student Performers

Talented students from across Centre County will take to the Mount Nittany Middle School stage at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, to perform in the annual Happy Valley’s Got Talent competition.

Modeled after the television show “America’s Got Talent,” the event will feature 17 acts. Each act was selected from more than 50 acts that auditioned to participate in the competition.

“Happy Valley’s Got Talent showcases the best of the best student performers in the Centre Region,” said Happy Valley’s Got Talent producer Kevin Conaway. “This year’s theme is ‘A Night With the Stars’ — and do we have some shining stars!”

Conaway shared more about what audience members can expect from the acts.

“We have a wide variety of acts — more piano than ever this year, four acts, including a brother-sister team. And for the first time ever, we have a student playing the Chinese zither. Mason Li will play ‘High Mountain and Flowing Water.’ … We have a baton twirler who will go on to represent Team USA in the World Twirling Championships and Nations Cup Competition in Liverpool, England,” Conaway said. “We have many of the area’s dance companies represented, with MindBodyArt, Centre Dance, Lucky Star and Nittany Ballet, as well as a young dance group called Pink Fire, a returning crowd favorite. And of course, some wonderful vocalists performing.”

The talented students will perform for a panel of judges during the competition, emceed by Angela Steco, afternoon host on 93.7 3WZ and the program director for Bigfoot Country Legends 103.7 and 104.3 of 7 Mountains Media, and Jerry Valeri, host of “The Jerry Valeri Show” on 95.2 3WZ.

This year’s judging panel consists of: Carolyn Donaldson, vice president, community engagement and relationship development officer for Kish Bank; Julie Foster, vocal instructor at and owner of Julie Foster Studio; and Elizabeth “Bizz” Masser, a STEM teacher at Park Forest and Ferguson Township elementary schools.

The first-place winner will receive $500, the second-place winner will take home $250 and the third-place winner will get $100.

However, Happy Valley’s Got Talent is more than just a talent competition. Proceeds from the talent show will support Tides, an organization that provides grief support to children, teenagers and adults in Centre County. The organization offers facilitated peer support groups, educational initiatives, crisis intervention and more to help bring healing and hope to those experiencing grief.

“I initially got involved with Happy Valley’s Got Talent to help produce the show. At the time, I was working with a student who had just lost a parent, and I was so frustrated that I never felt I had the right words or didn’t know what to do to help,” Conaway shared. “Then I learned more about the safe environment Tides creates for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, where they can talk about their loved one and share and learn they are not alone in their grief. Tides is an organization so worthy of our support, and all proceeds from HVGT go directly to support the work of Tides and the individuals they serve.”

For both Conaway and the performers, Happy Valley’s Got Talent is an opportunity to give back to Tides.

“I’m always taken with the fact that the student performers also get the importance of Tides. Many say, ‘We’re not in this for the competition or the prize money. We’re just here to support Tides.’ … We have had winning acts donate the money back to Tides,” Conaway said.

Conway noted that this year’s judges will certainly have a hard decision on their hands, explaining how many previous acts have gone on to do great things post-competition. The night promises to be entertaining for audience members. 

“We extend our heartfelt invitation to you and your loved ones to join us in this celebration of talent and compassion,” said Holly Oxendale, executive director of Tides, in a press release. “Together, let us rally behind our local students while contributing to a cause that impacts the lives of many.”

For more information about Happy Valley’s Got Talent and to purchase tickets, visit tidesprogram.org/hvgt2024.