For Immediate Release

VANCOUVER MAN WINS STATE GRANGE TALENT CONTEST

Issued: June 28, 2002
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EVERETT--A singer from Vancouver was selected from a strong field of contestants to win the Washington State Grange talent contest and represent the state at the National Grange Talent Contest finals to be held this November in Portland, Oregon.

Jesse Holyk, 23, was chosen by judges as first place winner in the vocal division and best of show for the state talent contest held as a kick-off event for the 113th annual State convention in Everett, Sunday evening, June 23. He competed against 11 others for the right to advance to nationals. Each contestant earned a spot at the state event by being selected best of show winner in regional competition held at Grange halls across Washington in April.

Holyk won the contest with a rendition of “New York, New York.” He is member of Washington Grange in Vancouver.

The vocalist is pursuing a singing career while working at Applebee’s restaurant. Holyk said he’s been singing for 15 years, beginning with a performance of the oldies tune “Sixteen Candles.” He enjoys singing all styles of music, from gospel to pop and Broadway tunes. Holyk first won his Grange’s talent contest at age 15 and took second at state that year.

Holyk credits his great-grandmother Leona “Maw” Holyk with inspiration.

“She always told me, ‘You have a gift. If you don’t use it, you lose it,’” said Holyk.

Runner-up winner in the State Grange talent competition was vocalist Gordon Painter of Mt. Brynion Grange in Cowlitz County, who sang a country tune. He lives in Kelso.

First place winner in the instrumental division was the polka- and waltz-playing Edelweiss Trio from Sequim Prairie Grange in Clallam County.

Lindsey Kiehn, a member of Half Moon Grange in Spokane County, took first-place in the variety division for a humorous skit. Seventeen-year-old Kiehn also competed in the vocal and instrumental divisions, and won first place in a separate public speaking contest sponsored by the State Grange Youth Department. She is a student at Mead High School, but will spend her senior year in Norway. The multi-talented Kiehn said she has performed since she was six years old, including work with the Spokane Civic Theatre. Kiehn’s mother Nancy, father Mark, and brother Derek are also members of Half Moon Grange.

Contest prizes were sponsored by the Grange Insurance Association, Seattle. The association’s president, Ben Metzler, was present to hand out the cash awards and plaques. A collection was taken at the event to assist the best of show winner to attend the national finals.

Nearly 500 people attended the program which was held at Everett’s Civic Auditorium. It was under the direction of State Grange Lecturer Tom Gwin.

In addition to the talent and public speaking contests, a competition in the Grange’s unique Sign-a-Song contest was won by Brenda Olson of Olympic View Grange in Grays Harbor County. This contest features performers interpreting a musical selection by use of American Sign Language.

Presentation of the flag was conducted by members of the Horseshoe Junior Grange, Snohomish County.

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For more information contact Larry Clark, Communications Director, (360) 943-9911