Issued: June 27, 2003
---------
OKANOGAN--A singer from Castle Rock 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 Festival to be held this November in Burlington, Vermont.
Kelle Geissler, 19, was chosen by judges as first place winner in the vocal division and best of show for the state talent contest held at the 114th annual State Grange convention in Okanogan, Friday evening, June 27. She competed against 13 others for the right to attend the national festival. 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. Geissler won $500, a trophy, lodging and travel expenses to attend the November festival.
Geissler won the contest with a rendition of the Dixie Chicks' "Traveling Soldier." She is a member of Sunnyside Grange in Castle Rock, Cowlitz County. Geissler has been singing in choir and at weddings since she was five years old. She is also a state Grange youth officer.
"I was exhilarated to win," said Geissler, "and I have to thank Sunnyside Grange and Cowlitz Pomona for all of the opportunities to practice." She also thanked Larry Ogden and wished luck to future contestants.
Runner-up winner in the State Grange talent competition was vocalist Gordon Painter of Mt. Brynion Grange in Cowlitz County, who sang the country tune "God Bless the USA." He lives in Kelso. This is Painter's second year of placing among the top talent in the Grange.
Janice Knott, a 14-year-old musician from Auburn, took first place in the instrumental division with a clarinet solo. She played "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "America." Knott is a member of East Hill Grange in Kent, and served as master of East Hill Junior Grange last year. She plays in her school's concert band.
In the variety division, David Johnson (under the stage name “DJ”) of Amboy won first place with a comedy routine. He is a member of Mt. Valley Grange near Amboy in Clark County.
Contest prizes were sponsored by the Grange Insurance Association, Seattle. Association board member Tom McKern was present to hand out the cash awards, trophies and plaques. A collection was taken at the event to assist the best of show winner to attend the national festival.
Nearly 400 people attended the program which was held at the Okanogan County Fairgrounds' Agriplex. 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 Olsen of Olympic View Grange in Grays Harbor County for the second year in a row. This contest features performers interpreting a musical selection by use of American Sign Language.
Presentation of the flag was conducted by members of the Washington State Grange Junior Grange.
###
For information about the Grange, including please see our media kit, or go to www.wa-grange.org
Photographs of Kelle Geissler, Janice Knott and David Johnson are available upon request.
For more information contact Larry Clark, Communications Director, (360) 943-9911