Seniors Got Talent Winners
Why They Love to Perform
Last September at SeniorFest, talented folks stepped on stage to participate in the “Seniors Got Talent Show.” We recently talked with the winners to learn what motivates them to perform and compete. Our Senior Talent Winners will be performing at the Successful Aging Forum and at the Pre-Forum Dinner.
Wayne King and Katherine Motley, Duet
Wayne and Katherine competed in the Mary Immaculate Hospital contest. Mary says, “A friend encouraged us to enter the talent contest. Wayne sings and I play the bass, which he taught me to play. We performed ‘The Session,’ a lively medley composed of several songs. We meet many people, get many compliments and have a lot of fun.”
Susan Stark, Ventriloquist
Susan and Heather competed in the Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center contest. Susan says, “When I read about the contest in Senior Health Magazine, I decided to try out so I auditioned and won. When I was a child, I used to play with hand puppets and received a Jerry Mahoney puppet for Christmas when I was 12 years old. I entered talent shows throughout my school years and won nearly all of them. Now, I perform for assistant living facilities, hospitals and churches, as well as children’s events. I still get very nervous before each performance. If I make my audience laugh, I feel that I’ve done my job.”
Sidney Sward, Accordion Player
Sidney competed in the Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center contest. He says, “Years ago, when the accordion was very popular, my father thought it would be a good idea for me to learn to play so I went to an accordion school near my high school. I loved it; they never had to encourage me to practice. In 1954, I started college and formed a band that helped put me through college. I love the instrument and recently formed an accordion club. Now my daughter sings with me. It’s entertaining and fun. People should have a hobby after they retire.”
Phyllis Parron, Mary Beeler and Carolyn Harrell, Line Dancers
Phyllis, Mary and Carolyn competed in the Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center contest. Phyllis says, “After one of my friends moved to Florida, I knew I needed something new to do. I decided to take line dance classes at Western Branch Recreation Center. All three of us line dancers teach line dancing at the Beazley Center. Line dancing is especially good for seniors because we have to remember the rotation of the steps. It is good for the memory and is also good exercise.” Carolyn says, “I dance for the exercise and camaraderie. I do it to make people happy and entertained, as well as to give back to society. I have been teaching line dancing for over 20 years. It gives me pleasure to give pleasure to others.”
Garfield Williams, Singer
Garfield competed in the Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center contest. He says, “I read about the contest in Senior Health Magazine. I always had a passion for singing. It is my God-given talent and I use it to please myself and especially others. In the talent show, I sang ‘I Bowed on My Knees and Cried Holy.’ At age 80 I feel fortunate that I am still blessed with my voice and the gift of singing, and as long as I make people happy I’ll keep singing.”
Carolyn Smith, Singer
Carolyn competed in the Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center contest. She says, “I love to sing and have been singing since I was nine years old. When I read about the talent contest in Senior Health Magazine, I decided to enter. I am a gospel singer and sang ‘Amazing Grace’ in the competition. Singing is my God given talent.”