The Orcas Island Grange came alive last Saturday as six young performers shared their talents on stage. Contestants shined with a variety of skills from singing bluesy solos to original tunes to group numbers with enthusiastic choreography at the Orcas Has Talent Junior Show on Jan. 19.

“It’s great to see growth every year,” said Donna Laslo, the event producer.

Some vocalists made the audience cry, while others got them clapping their hands and tapping their toes. The junior competition had more than 100 eager audience members filling every seat in the house and cheering on a varied group of young stars. Performers were rated on their stage presence, technical ability and showmanship.

All net proceeds from the junior and adult shows go to Orcas Island Prevention Coalition to support drug-free youth.

Sabrina Bailey, 11, Paris Wilson, 12, and Cameryn Thompson, 11, also known as the M&Ms, wowed the crowd with sassy dance moves and killer vocal stylings, performing Selena Gomez’s “Tell Me Something I Don’t Know.” The three young performers walked away with not only first place but the chance to compete and win $500 against the adults at the Feb. 9 Orcas Has Talent final show at the Orcas Center.

The girls have been best friends for the last two and a half years and said they were happily surprised by their first place title. They’ve been practicing twice a week for the last couple of months.

“I’m really excited, we were hoping for the best,” Sabrina said.

Singer Stormy Hildreth, 10, came in second place for the juniors, earning her the opportunity to make a cameo performance at the final Orcas Has Talent Show. Singer/songwriter and guitarist Madi Jane West, 14, came in third place. The winners were chosen by all-star judges Gene Nery, Susan Osborn and Bob Shipstad.

Later that evening, I, along with 11 other adult contestants, performed during the regular auditions. Those who made to the final show are: The band Allmost Canadian (bander members Julia Bailey, Christian Bailey, Kellen Comrie, Emy Carter, Lisa Carter, Brynna Gregg), sax player Gregory Books, singer Yuko Horikawa, pianist Kellen Comrie, magician Matthew Laslo-White, comedian Conrad Wrobel, singer Jake Perrine and this reporter and singer Cali Bagby.

Tickets for the Feb. 9 show are on sale at Darvill’s Bookstore, $25 for the main stage and $10 for the Madrona Room for a live video-feed of the show.