Four high school students were awarded a collective $6,000 in college scholarships during the Dugan’s Got Talent competition Friday night. Owensboro High School junior Jakovie Curry, whose talent was beatboxing, won the contest and took home a $5,000 scholarship.
Second place was awarded to acrobat Helena Klein, a junior at Daviess County High School who received a $500 Scholarship. Vocalists Lily Berry (Apollo High School senior) and Spencer Combs (OHS senior) took third and fourth, respectively, with each winning a $250 scholarship.
Dugan’s Got Talent is sponsored by Independence Bank and hosted by the City of Owensboro’s Parks and Recreation Department at Dugan Best Recreation Center.
The other contestants were Abigail Oakes, vocalist; Matthew Boarman, electric guitar; Nate Wilson, Color Guard; Clayton Manire, clogging; Diba Karimi, artist; Elizabeth Burgan, Russian vocalist; and MiChya Durr-Dulin, dancer.
Event sponsor Independence Bank donated $5,000 for the scholarship prizes. During the event, Mayor Tom Watson, on behalf of the City, announced an extra $1,000 to the first-place winner’s scholarship.
Dugan Best Recreation Center Director Mike Gray said to see the youth of the community display their talent was refreshing.
“Plus, being able to provide a scholarship to the top contestants to further their education and help them pursue their dreams is what the Center is all about,” he said.
Each contestant received a score from each of the six judges: Mayor Tom Watson; Dugan Best Neighborhood Alliance Chairperson Bobby McCormick; Independence Bank, Daviess County President Nick Oller; Independence Bank, Community Enrichment Officer Susanne Story; former Northwest Neighborhood Alliance Chairperson Rafe Buckner; and Chief Meteorologist for Eyewitness News Ron Rhodes.
“It takes bravery for these students to get up on the stage and share their talents,” Story said. “We watched a variety of gifts. Congratulations to everyone who had the courage to enter this contest while supporting Owensboro Parks and Recreation.”
Dugan Best Recreation Center is open Monday through Friday during the school year from 2:30-7 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. When school is not in session, the center operates Monday through Saturday 11 a.m.-7 p.m. The activities planned by staff are meant to enhance the future goals of local youth. The center features a game room, kitchen, teen room, weight and fitness room, computer stations, and gym for public use.
