St. Joseph’s Academy sophomore Molly Sallaberry claimed the first-place scholarship award at the 14th Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition on Sunday, March 24 at the Fabulous Fox. The competition is sponsored by The Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation.
A vocalist, Molly won the hearts of both the judges and the audience with her interpretation of “Kindergarten Love Song” by Drew Gasparini, winning both the competition and the Audience Choice Award.
The dance acts of Avery Payne, a junior at Orchard Farm High, and a traditional Indian dance group Rhythm Divine, featuring Clayton High senior Saisha Bhutani, John Burroughs junior Anokhi Desai, and Ladue Horton Watkins High Sahasra Mandalapu, tied for second place.
Pianist Yrwin Batan, a senior at Saint Louis Priory High, came in third with his performance of his original composition “Waltz.”
The competition celebrates high school student performers in four categories: vocal, instrumental, dance and specialty. Finalists were judged by Taylor Louderman, Carl Nappa, Maria A. Ellis, Alice Block, Antonio Douthit-Boyd and Jenn Asia, whose careers have spanned music, television, dance and Broadway. Each act was judged on technical ability, interpretation, stage presence and originality.