NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                            February 9, 2026

CONTACT: 

Deann Balash, Vice-President Montrose Education Foundation

Ph: 989.430.2604

Dbalash63@gmail.com

8th annual Montrose’s Got Talent Competition

Saturday, February 7, 2026, Montrose, Colorado. – The Montrose Education Foundation (MEF) hosted its 8th annual Montrose’s Got Talent Competition Fundraiser.  Held at the Montrose Pavilion Auditorium.  New this year, the competition awarded two $1,000 grand prize winners in two age categories - 12 and under and 13 and over.  To participate in the final competition acts were required to audition on Tuesday, January 20th.  The top 7 acts from each age category were selected then to advance to the final competition on February 7th.  The competition is for school age performers and all varieties of acts are welcome.  All top 3 acts in each age category receive a cash prize with the grand prize winners receiving $1,000.  The total amount awarded was $3,500.

The 14 acts and their talents:

12 and under age category:

1                Ka’re Folklorico Dance Group•Dance

Ivan Jaramillo, Marie Najar, Xenia Nieto, Jhonathan Ovando, Carmela Ovando, Elizabeth Rivera, Lizeth Rivera, and Allen Zamarripa

2               Marybeth Skarka•Piano

3               The Canady Sisters•Vocal

                       Reagan, Harper and Joelle Canady

4               Wren Malloy•Dance

5                Brielle Cisneros•Vocal

6               Sienna Comstock•Contemporary Dance

7                Brianna Skarka•Piano: Original Composition

13 and over age category:

8               Dylan Box•Rubik's Cubes/Speed-cubing

9               Emma Braaten•Vocal

10             Kaysan Carlton•Vocal accompanied by Guitar

11              Jeremy Brailsford•Hip Hop Dance

12             Audrieanna Sisneros•Vocal

13             Joshua Skarka•Piano

14             Kayla Braaten•Vocal

All 14 acts performed during the first half of the show on February 7th.  During intermission the judges deliberated and the audience enjoyed the MCSD student art exhibit in the lobby.  At the beginning of the second half of the show, the top 3(6) acts were announced and they performed again.  The Waxler Brothers (Zeke and Nathaniel) entertained the audience while the judges deliberated the top 3 (in each age category) placement.  The scores were very close.  All acts had an amazing performance.

The top acts for 12 and under were:

3rd place – Sienna Comstock won $250

2nd place – Wren Malloy won $500

1st place – Brianna Skarka won $1,000

The top acts for 13 and over were:

3rd place – Audrieanna Sisneros won $250

2nd place – Emma Braaten won $500

1st place – Joshua Skarka won $1,000

This is an 8th annual fundraiser for the Montrose Education Foundation.  The money raised by this competition is reinvested in the RE-1J school district's teachers and students.  It supports the Teacher of the Year Programs, Appreciation Events and a $10,000 annual Impact Award that the teachers are eligible to apply for.

The MEF wishes to thank all of the acts who shared their talents to help make the show a success and to all of their generous sponsors.  Sponsors: Platinum – City of Montrose, Buck & Marsha Miller, Blythe Group + Co and the Montrose Mirror; Gold – Alpine Bank and DMEA; Silver – CED, Timberline Bank The Montrose Daily Press, Montrose County, DWC CPA Advisors and the Montrose Business Times; Bronze - Montrose County School District, Mike & Phoebe Benziger, NuVista Credit Union, Scott’s Printing & Design, Deann Balash & John Boughton, Allen & Sandy Head, Montrose Ford Nissan Inc, Hartman Brothers, Stryker & Company, Inc, Alexander Orthodontics, San Juan Mountains Credit Union and Davis Service Center. 

The MEF board is composed of community members who want to make a positive impact in the community’s education system.  Their mission statement is: Education is Our Future.  The board members are: Sandy Head, President; Deann Balash, Vice President and the Montrose’s Got Talent Producer/Director; Buck Miller, Secretary/Treasurer; Melissa Byrnes; Patricia Cummings; Kathy Flower; Jody Hovde; Alice Murphy; Carrie Stephenson; and Mikayla Unruh.  For more information about the Montrose Education Foundation, the programs they sponsor, become a board member or to make a donation (and a difference), visit MontroseEducationFoundation.org or send an email to montroseeducationfoundation22@gmail.com.