2nd Annual Menifee's Got Talent Show Names Winners

Junior Reed, 14, won on Sunday

About 160 people attended the two Menifee's Got Talent shows last weekend. Performances were held at the Kay Ceniceros Center in Menifee, on Friday at 6:30 PM and then Sunday at 2:00 PM.

Audiences enjoyed 23 acts altogether. The talented Menifee-area performers came with an impressive variety of skills and were from a wide range of ages. Several of the more unique acts were asked to do both shows, including Alias Dance Company, comedienne Ruth Bols and juggler Carey Pickford.

Comparing and choosing "the best" among all acts as disparate as Native American flutist White Feather, guitarist / storyteller Paul Burleson, and rock band Steady Impact, proved to be difficult. Audience members were asked to choose their favorite.

Sonja Prince won on Friday evening. She sang a song from the Broadway show Wicked entitled "For Good". Sonja is a secretary at the Center for Spiritual Living, and the reigning Ms. Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Junior Reed, a 14-year old classical guitarist, won on Sunday, playing an electric version of Pachelbel's Canon.

Performers included:

Singers Angelina Argento, Julia Carrillo, Sable Hardin, Archana V. Sangar, Elizabeth (Betty) Kellstrom, Nathaniel Leedahl, Victoria Marquez, Isabella Pena, Terry Lynn Pershing and Joan Wolfe.

Singer / guitarists Fallon Twyman and Keenwild (Bill and Jenny Gould)

Sonja Prince (right), won on Friday.

Drummer Anthony Marquez

Keyboardist Marci Dunker

Harmonica player Steven Parker (who won the Gong Show in 1977)

Flutist White Feather, a Native American who played several hand-made flutes in an original number called "Mayan Dreams". During his performance, you could hear a pin drop. Some people were moved to tears.

Rock band Steady Impact, five Jr. High students who write their own music. They have played locally in battle-of-the-band events. They are Brayden Hesford (drum), Shaye Hesford (guitar), Parker Johnson (guitar), Madi Walsh (keyboard, vocals) and Sydney Deardorff (bass)

Brian Walker of Farmers Insurance was the emcee. Sound was coordinated by Bill Zimmerman. The parents of the Menifee Middle School choir program sold refreshments as a fundraiser to enhance the music program.