“We decided last year to try something different,” said CCDD Superintendent Sharon Woodrow. “We like to keep the ‘fun’ in fundraising.”
That’s just what happened. One year ago, CCDD was preparing for the fourth year of their “Dancing with the Stars” Extravaganza and they decided, at the last minute, to try something different. Two weeks before the March 2013 event, Woodrow asked several CCDD staff members who had singing experience if they would be willing to perform a song and dance routine on the night of the event. They agreed and during the fundraiser’s intermission in 2013, they sang and danced to “There’s No Business Like Show Business.” Members of the audience were impressed and decided they could help with future CCDD fundraisers by putting together a similar group or finding out if their own staff had performance experience. Out of this last-minute change to the “Dancing with the Stars” planning, “Clermont’s Got Talent” was born.
“Just like our ‘Dancing with the Stars’ event, we asked those performing to sell votes that would be added to the judges’ scores the night of the show,” said Lisa Davis, Community Relations Director at CCDD. “Votes cost four for $1.00, and performers began selling them as soon as they agreed to participate. In the end, all money that is raised through ticket sales, raffles, and vote sales gets donated to our Gift of Time Respite program.”
Performers like Grant understand the need for respite services, even at his young age. That’s why he decided to miss his homecoming dance at Cincinnati Country Day to participate in “Clermont’s Got Talent.” His twin brother, Nik, was born with MPS II Hunter Syndrome. Grant has spent a lot of time with Nik and whenever Grant plays the violin, it brings a lot of enjoyment to Nik. It was amazing to see that Grant had the same affect over the audience at Clermont’s Got Talent.
“My brother loves it when I perform,” said Grant. “I wanted to perform in honor of him and others who have disabilities.”
Grant played a medley of “Stay” by Rhianna and “Royals” by Lorde on the electric violin. Although he has been playing the violin since age five, Grant’s new electric instrument arrived just a few short days before Clermont’s Got Talent. This helped encourage him to do a good job—for the audience and for his brother.
Master of Ceremonies for the evening was local meteorologist Steve Norris, a long-time Cincinnati broadcaster and friend to CCDD. Woodrow assisted Norris with co-emcee duties throughout the evening. Both shared information from families and individuals who participate in the CCDD respite program and explained the importance of fundraisers like Clermont’s Got Talent, when funding for many programs is being downsized at the state and national level.
Three volunteers served as judges for the evening. Lori Howell, licensed massage therapist from Miami Township, was the winner of the 2013 “Dancing with the Stars” Extravaganza and served as a judge. She also served on the Clermont’s Got Talent event committee. Matt Stricklin, an individual from CCDD currently employed at Danbarry Cinemas, volunteered his time as a judge as well. Donna Gunn of Bethel rounded out the judges’ panel. Gunn has been a nurse for 35 years and is currently the Director of Surgical Services for McKenna Cosmetic Surgery Center.
State Representative Doug Green opened the evening with his rendition of “God Bless the USA,” which was accompanied by a moving slideshow of veterans, present and past.
Katie Park and George Ivan, two local high school students, shared a haunting rendition of “Say Something” that was well received as the first official competition song of the evening.
Kathryn Lachat of Washington Courthouse, Ohio has played the piano since she was five years old. For Clermont’s Got Talent, she played a classical piece that the judges and audience enjoyed.
Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries was one of many sponsors of Clermont’s Got Talent, but that’s not where their support stopped. The “Goodwill Duo” made up of Mark Macomber and Paula Smith performed a fun medley of two 70s hits (“Act Naturally” and “Amie”). Macomber has been a professional musician since the eighth grade and currently performs in various venues in the Cincinnati area. Smith is the supervisor of Goodwill’s Eastside Vocational Services in Batavia and has been playing guitar for approximately 40 years.
Macomber wasn’t the only professional performer at Clermont’s Got Talent. Sarah Leanne Spencer has a vested interest in acting, singing, and voiceover work. She prepared a 70s song for the event because she loves to perform; and because her brother-in-law, James Taylor, is the Facilities and Safety Coordinator for CCDD who encouraged her to participate.
Magician Marvin Armbruster astounded the audience with his surprising magic tricks. An employee with the Clermont County Juvenile Probation Department, Armbruster has been entertaining children and adults in the community for many years.
Although Anna Roots is a Speech Language Pathologist at CCDD, she enchanted the audience with her beautiful soprano voice during the competition. Roots is known as one of the quietest people on the CCDD staff, but has been singing and playing piano since age 11.
Erin Wiehe, a sophomore at Glen Este High School, performed two songs during the competition: “Stay With Me” and “My Heart Will Go On.” Wiehe made plans after the performance to become a registered volunteer at CCDD.
Eric and Candice Baker of Hillsboro sang their wedding song in the Clermont’s Got Talent competition. Candice works for Highland County Board of Developmental Disabilities and was invited to perform by a friend of the family; her husband was excited to have the opportunity to perform a duet with her.
Tom Scharstein is a professional speaker who was the last performer of the evening. His speech touched on the many challenges he has overcome in his life and explained his personal story about how his own disability helped him learn to treat others differently. His message of “look at me, and see me” rather than “look at me, and look away” received a standing ovation.
After all votes were tallied, Grant was named the first winner of CCDD’s “Clermont’s Got Talent” competition. Special recognition was given to sponsors throughout the night that included Stepping Stones, Inc., The Vogel Family of Bethel, Remax Advanced Real Estate, Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries, Park National Bank, and Second Time Medical. Special thanks went to raffle sponsors and volunteers: Lori Howell, General Mobility Repair, Viji Grant, Janie Pfankuch, Julie Coriell, Jessica and John Petre, Branden and Krista Clinebell, and Pattie Doss. Shaun Steward of Union Township donated his time as official photographer for the event.
As for next year, who knows?
“We learn about new performers every day, from people who attended this event,” said Davis. “It’s possible a second ‘Clermont’s Got Talent’ event is on our horizon.”
For more information about Clermont’s Got Talent or the CCDD program in general, contact ldavis@clermontdd.org or (513) 732-4921.