Muskie students take first in Zanesville Has Talent

 Muskingum University seniors Aaron Lashley and Shelly Burley were the first ever adult division winners of Zanesville Has Talent, held Aug. 28^th at the Zanesville Welcome Center.

  In front of a sold out audience of 300 people, Lashley and Burley, calling themselves Bel Canto, sang The Prayer by Celion Dion and Andrea Bocelli. 

  They were amongst the top 10 out of 60 acts to audition for the contest. The top 10 went on to perform at the finals held at the Zanesville Welcome Center. 

  Vicky Maple, Executive Director of the Zanesville Welcome Center, was the organizer of the event.

  Lashley and Burley won many prizes; a free year membership to the Field House, a shopping vulture to the Colony Square Mall, a $1000 scholarship to Ohio University Zanesville, a promotional package including, business cards, a website, a video portfolio of performances, and a $100 off a modeling package. They also won various tickets to shows around the area and airline airfare discount incentives.

  This may seem like a lot of prizes, but Burley didn't compete just for the prizes.

  "I knew that this would a great opportunity to grow and expand our network," said Burley.

  Both were very surprised that they won. 

  "I was so surprised. There were so many good performances and very talented people. My niece,Jennifer Kern , performed as well. She did an amazing job. I thought that she would win, not Aaron and I. Everyone was very supportive of each other. We would not have been able to have done it without the music department at Muskingum. They have taught us well," said Burley.

  "I thought that they sang very well together," said Becka Lashley, whom attended the event. "I myself knew they had it because, after they was done the crowd clapped a lot and people were standing for them, and I myself jumped up yelling for them.. I knew they did their best."

  They will not be able to participate again in the contest.

  "We will be at the next Zanesville Has Talent to pass on the title," said Lashley.

  Zanesville Has Talent was created to raise money for the nonprofit group C.A.S.S.-M.I.N.D. Cassandra McDonald, Lecture of Music, is a founder of the group.

  The Mind Your Own Business program was created to help people get better jobs, creating resumes, preparing for college, and getting a GED. The School-Aged Children's program helps students with their homework, skill assistance, and tutoring. 

  The contest raised more than $3,000 to go toward the program.

  McDonald was pleased when Lashley and Burley were announced winners. 

  "I was elated. I was pleased and grateful to supply a great setting for them to perform for such a worthy cause," said McDonald.

  The next Zanesville Has Talent will be held in Feb. of 2012. Muskingum University students are able to participate in the contest.

  "Anyone living, working, or is a student in Muskingum county, is able to participate," said McDonald. "We wanted to give the students a chance to participate since the last one was over the summer. You don't have to just sing, it can be any form of talent."

  Watch out for information about the contest on Facebook or go to http://www.mccfa.com/index.php?/main/show/home for more information on how to apply to the contest.

  To learn more about the C.A.S.S.-M.I.N.D group go to http://www.cassandramcdonald.com/MIND/home-myob.html or http://choosenowtochange.com/.