Calling all talented students!

Saddleback Church plans to host a community wide talent show for a “wonderful night for the community,” said Brian Ong, the pastor in Saddleback’s High School Ministries. They held tryouts on November 13th and November 16th.

“I’m excited and nervous; excited because it has the potential to be one of the best thing and better things we’ve done so far. We have the quality acts worth seeing and worth paying for even though its free. [I’m] nervous because we don’t know how the show will actually go and we don’t know what glitches might come and furthermore if people will even come to it.” said Ong.

This talent show will award a $1,000 prize to the first place winner, second place will receive free Banzai Bowls for a year, and $150 Visa Gift Card.

Ally Stay (14), a auditioner who made it through says, “I honestly wasn’t sure if I was going to make it or not because I wasn’t sure how hard the competition was going to be.” Stay is current with San Clemente High School’s dance team. Although she has been competing for almost 4 years now, she says she’s still “a little nervous about dancing at the talent show because I never have really performed in front of the public before.”

Aanicka Balcombe (15), another auditioner who passed tryouts had been singing since she was little feels that she will, “probably not place.” During auditions though, she says she, “wasn’t really nervous and I felt fine.”

The talent show will be held at Saddleback San Clemente on January 9th from 6:30 to 8:30 at 1311 Calle Batido, San Clemente. All contestants will appear before four celebrity guest judges, but the judge’s identities will remain a secret until opening night.

There are currently 16 acts that are performing. Some vary from singing to dancing.

“Parents can be more involved through their child participating and those who don’t attend Saddleback Church will hopefully come back for a Sunday service.” said Ong

Ong looks forward to the night, “it’s fun and entertaining and people meet new people to form new relationships.”