A Pair of Dancers Win the Senior and Junior Divisions at the Louisiana Farm Bureau Talent Contest

By Bill Sherman

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser’s Office

A St. Martin Parish dancer took home first place in the Junior division and Shaohannah Martin of Lafayette was awarded first place in the Senior division in the Talent Contest at the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation’s 102nd Annual Convention.

Ten-year old Eleanor Melancon of Breaux Bridge danced to “Wings” from the television show Glee. Melancon, who will enter 6th Grade at Cecilia Junior High this fall, has been dancing since she was seven years old. Her routine was choreographed by her mother, Nicole, who is a dance instructor at “Front and Center” dance studio in Lafayette where Eleanor dances.

Melancon attributes her love and talent for dancing to her mother who has been involved in dance for the past 30 years.

“I’ve been practicing this dance since February and I like doing it because it’s so fun,” said Melancon.

Second place was awarded to Vera Bacon of Lafourche parish who danced to “Slow it Down” by Benson Boone. Third place in the Junior division was Tenley Pilgram of East St. James who danced to “Meet me at the Roxy” by Divine Brown.

Shaohannah Martin of Lafayette won the Senior division with her unique “open” dance routine to the instrumental “Invisible Light.” Martin initially wore a bronze-colored leotard during her routine and succinctly transitioned to a white, satin leotard halfway through the performance. Martin said, “My routine was a dichotomy of sadness and life-struggles during the first half of the dance and then a conversion to a God-empowered, uplifting presence that signified hope and light.”

Martin’s routine was choreographed by Kevin Wold of Lafayette. Martin, 18 has been dancing for the past 13 years. She is a student at Lafayette’s “Academy of Christian Arts.”

Martin is studying Animal Sciences at LSU and hopes to become a 4-H Extension Agent.

First runner-up in the Senior division was Myla Bonin of Iberia parish who played the piano and sang “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys. Second runner-up in the Senior division was Kinsey Waits who sang “Don’t Rain on My Parade” from the Broadway musical “Funny Girl.”

The judges for the Talent Contest were Sam Irwin of Baton Rouge, La. Teri Bontrager of Santa Barbara, California and Kyle Melancon of New Orleans.

“All of the contestants were compelling, and it was hard to pick a winner. The Senior division was particularly competitive with eight solid performances,” said Irwin.

The winners of both divisions took home a trophy and cash prizes of $250 from the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation.