Lately there have been a lot of firsts in the life of Alberta-wide competition winners Jessy Mossop and Stephen Lecky. To add to their list of achievements, the rockin’ country duo is putting their leadership qualities to use as producers of St. Albert Talent Search.

A new local event, the competition is geared to discovering dancers, singers, actors, jugglers, mimes, magicians and comedians from St. Albert’s Grade 7 to 12 schools.

The expected swarm of entries will be whittled down to six finalists. They will perform at the finals hosted during the Prince and Pauper Gala, a benefit event designed to boost revenues for the annual Kinette Christmas Hamper Campaign.

“If you feel you have talent, never pass up a chance to show it off. You never know who is there. It’s an opportunity to showcase yourself and if you don’t win that’s OK too,” Mossop commented, adding she competed in the Northern Star Talent Search for five years before winning in July.

The gala’s lucky winner takes home a $1,000 grand prize, a sponsorship contribution from local businesses. In addition to promoting their talent, contestants face an additional hurdle, Lecky said.

“Twenty-five per cent of the mark will be in how you give back to the community like doing a hamper, collecting funds or coming up with whatever they want.”

For round one, interested artists need to hand in an audition video along with a $5 entry fee at their school office. The deadline is Friday, Oct. 12. Additional details are available on Facebook at “St. Albert Talent Search.”

Lecky and Mossop will weed through the submissions. In round two, semi-finalists will be contacted for a live competitive performance on Friday, Oct. 19 at one of the high schools.

The semifinals are a ticketed event with $10 charged for admission. All proceeds will go to the food hamper program.

The six finalists are slated to battle it out at the Prince and Pauper Gala on Saturday, Nov. 3 at Hole’s Enjoy Centre.

The idea for a talent search came while Mossop and Lecky were brainstorming with the Kinettes, a local service group known for their long-time dedication and unwavering energy in providing Christmas hampers to families in need.

Long-term Kinette member Sharon Gregresch stated that the group was searching for a new revenue stream to plump up the coffers.

“Last year we didn’t have enough food. We did TV interviews and pulled through at the last hour.”

The event is an awareness gala designed to enlighten participants on the difficulties families-in-need face. At an awareness gala, everyone pays the same amount. However, upon arrival, each participant is given a different colour card signifying a different class. The food ranges from homeless person’s bread and water meal to an exclusive five-star dinner.

“We’re not quite so extreme,” explained Gregresch adding there are two classes of dinner planned for the gala with four courses for everyone.

“We want people to get it and be in the mood for giving.”

Gala tickets are $85 and are available by contacting 780-702-9998 or stopping at the Realty Executive offices at Unit 1, 5 Giroux Rd.

At the grassroots level, Lecky said it best.

“It’s empowering to get out and help in a good cause. It puts a skip in my step.”

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