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Shaw has talent!

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jensen Stidham
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Participants, families and military members gathered at the Carolina Skies Club and Conference Center here, Oct. 17, for the "U Got Talent" competition.

Sponsored by 20th Force Support Squadron marketing department and the Carolina Skies Club, the Air Force-wide competition showcased the talent of 3- to 18-year-olds at Shaw AFB.

Before the talent show began, Deborah MacQueen, 20th Force Support Squadron director of youth programs, Derrick Rhems, 20th FSS marketing director, and John Kennedy, 20th FSS school liaison officer, created a welcoming and positive atmosphere for the children and youth to be comfortable prior to their performance by telling them to have fun and not worry about the competition.

From singing to playing the piano, Shaw's four competing performers were top notch.

"I see amazing talent every day," said MacQueen. "I was awestruck by the youth as they performed. Each of them brought joy, tears and goose bumps as they fought the nervousness of performing in front of a crowd."

As each performer got on stage, they overcame their nerves while still having a good time.

"I messed up a little, but I still had fun," said Chloe, 13, daughter of U.S. Army Major Henry McCamey.

Chloe sang a duet with a piano accompaniment by Kennedy.

Nicole Moore, 20th FSS teen director, sat in the crowd, and said she was amazed by the teen participation and how talented they were on stage.

Participating Air Force bases held the competition to find the best performers at each installation. Contestants could compete in one of eleven solo, duet or group categories. From there, videos of the 1st and 2nd place performance from each category will be sent to the Air Force-level where judges will judge each performance.

Air Force-level winners will be announced Dec. 13.