'You Got Talent' returns to Edwards AFB

  • Published
  • By Paul La Bella
  • 412th Force Support Squadron, Teen Center coordinator
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The You Got Talent Air Force Family & Teen Talent Show is back at Edwards AFB after a three-year hiatus.

"UGT" shows that Edwards AFB does have talent.

Fifteen different acts performed Oct. 23 in front of a nice size crowd at "The Hangar" inside the Oasis Community Club.

Some of the standout performers were Haylee Pringle who performed a monologue about Joan of Arc and Heather Byrd who performed a gymnastic routine.

Asia Woodard, and her older sister Alexis, performed not only a solo each but sang a duet together as well. Danny Vaughn sang and accompanied himself on the piano, while Sarah McGettrick and Isabel Warmka each performed amazing piano solos.

But, the big winners of the night were Kotomi Tucker, Miwa Tucker, Rachel Cregier and Rick Medlin.

The UGT is a talent competition and at the end of the night a panel of three judges selected the outstanding performers per age group, per category. Sisters Kotomi and Miwa both won as individuals in their perspective age groups but also as a duet in the 13-15 age group act category. Rick Medlin and Rachel Cregier teamed up to perform a song from Disney's "Aladdin" and won first place in the 16-18 group act category; while Rick Medlin took first place in the 16-18 solo act category.

From here, a DVD of their performances will be forward on to the Air Force Entertainment Head Quarters in San Antonio, TX and will compete Air Force wide. The winners at the Air Force level will receive $500 for first place in their age/category and $300 for second place. The overall winner at the Air Force level (The Best in Show) will receive $1000 if it is a group act or if it is a solo act, the winner will receive 3 Airline tickets with hotel accommodations to a destination of their choosing.

Although the UGT Talent show is a competition, show director and Emcee, Paul La Bella, said that he was trying to focus more on the "show" aspect of the as opposed to the "competition" and judging from the crowd's reaction, mission accomplished.

However, since winners did in fact need to be selected to move on to the Air Force level competition, selection fell squarely on the shoulders of the three guest judges. The three judges, who had never met before, brought decades of entertainment experience and expertise to the table.

The Judges were, Terence Vickers, Barbara Gilliam, and Capt. Bradford Welsh, 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron.

Judge Terence was quoted as saying "very high-caliber performances with little separation in talent."

After the show the three judges went behind closed doors and took care of business. When they emerged, the results were given to the host, the winners were announced and the celebration began.

The UGT show will be back next October and remember it is not just for singers, it is more like "America's Got Talent" and open to any kind of act at all. So, if you are a singer, dance, juggler, comedian, or have dogs that can do amazing tricks get you act together.

But wait there is more...It is not just for kids, other categories include: Husband and Wife Act, Family Act, and Parent and Youth Act.

There are certain eligibility requirements, so for complete details and more information contact Paul La Bella at the Teen Center by calling (661) 275-TEEN and watch out for the UGT talent show next fall right here in beautiful downtown Edwards AFB!