Duquette 2015 ‘Ohio Has Talent!’ winner

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Sam Duquette, a 13-year-old Van Wert singer, is this year’s winner of the “Ohio Has Talent!” competition held over the weekend in the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.

Duquette, who has competed in several past “Ohio Has Talent!” competitions, was the audience’s choice on Saturday with her rendition of Janis Joplin’s “Me and Bobby McGee,” accompanied by Aaron Cooper of Van Wert. Duquette earned a trophy and a cash prize of $1,000.

Second place went to Alex Schlegel, a Paulding High School student who performed an often humorous dance routine entitled “The Evolution of Dance.” He earned $500, while the pop a capella group Awakened Commotion from Hardin Northern Local Schools earned $250 for its third-place finish with a medley that included “As Long As You Love Me” and “Wide Awake”.

Honorable mentions included a saxophone quintet from Delphos St. John’s School that performed “What Does the Fox Say?” and Gabe Bailey, a multitalented 12-year-old from Berne, Indiana, who sang “Golden Slumbers Melody” while also playing keyboards, guitar and drums.

It was the eighth annual edition of the benefit competition, which raises money for Community Health Professionals’ Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center, which provides care for terminally ill area residents, as well as accommodations for family members.

Others among the 17 acts performing on Saturday were Kuroi Taka Taiko, two Japanese drum bands from Mississinawa Valley Schools in Union City; singer-dancer Victoria Ruble of Garrett, Indiana; Doug Adams, a singer-guitarist from Celina who teaches at LifeLinks Community School in Van Wert; Yan Coppler of Fostoria and her daughter, May, who both sang; Alexis Heath, a 13-year-old singer-songwriter from St. Henry; well-known local magician Tyler Nygren, who has been performing magic since the age of 3; singer Diana Rose of Coldwater; Mack Newman, a 90-year-old harmonica player from Dunkirk; Sarah Vanbrocklin, a 13-year-old singer from Botkins; and Eric Adams, a 25-year-old singer-songwriter-guitarist-harmonica player from Celina.

In addition to this year’s competitors, last year’s top winners, the dancing duo of Kaden Hohman and Sayler Wise performed individually and together while the votes were being counted Saturday night.

Judges were Kim Mason, Tricia Profit-Kuhn and Wally Grimm, while the Rev. Scott Campbell was emcee for the 2015 event.