♪♪ HEY!

[LAUGHS] GOTTA GO!

GOTTA GO!

[MUSIC CONTINUES] ♪♪ ALRIGHT, GUYS, LET'S GO!

HELLO, AND WELCOME TO THE "FABULOUS FOX THEATRE" AND THE ELEVENTH ANNUAL ST. LOUIS TEEN TALENT COMPETITION.

IN JUST A MOMENT, THIS STAGE IS GONNA BE FILLED WITH AN EXTRAORDINARY AMOUNT OF TALENT AS I PRESENT TO YOU OUR 2021 FINALISTS.

NOW, WE'VE ALMOST MADE IT THROUGH A REALLY TOUGH TIME, AND ALTHOUGH WE'RE NOT QUITE READY FOR A LIVE EVENT JUST YET, EACH ONE OF OUR FINALISTS IS GONNA BLOW YOU AWAY, AND YOU ARE GONNA GET A FRONT-ROW SEAT.

YOU KNOW, NOTHING COMPARES TO THE THRILL OF PERFORMING ON THIS STAGE, AND EACH ONE OF OUR FINALISTS IS JUST ABOUT TO GET THAT OPPORTUNITY.

NOW, THESE PERFORMANCES HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY RECORDED FOR OUR JUDGES' REVIEW, AND WE ARE GONNA REVEAL OUR WINNER AT THE END OF TONIGHT'S SHOW.

RIGHT NOW LET'S MEET THE JUDGES: BROADWAY AND FILM STAR, KEN PAGE; FROM THE "ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA," AUDREY KWONG; MUSIC PRODUCER, ENGINEER AND EDUCATOR, CARL NAPPA; JAZZ VOCALIST AND RECORDING ARTIST, DENISE THIMES; FORMER DANCER WITH "DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM" AND "ALVIN AILEY DANCE THEATER," ANTONIO DOUTHIT-BOYD; AND BROADWAY AND TELEVISION PERFORMER, TAYLOR LOUDERMAN.

TO ADD TO THE EXCITEMENT OF THE BROADCAST, YOU, THE TELEVISION VIEWER, WILL BE VOTING ON THE "AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD" IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE FIRST BROADCAST OF TONIGHT'S COMPETITION.

YOU CAN VOTE AT "NINE PBS's" FACEBOOK PAGE, SO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION.

RIGHT NOW LET'S MEET TONIGHT'S CONTESTANTS: LUCY SCHENE FROM KIRKWOOD HIGH SCHOOL; ALEX CHEN FROM MARQUETTE HIGH SCHOOL; SHANIYA PERRY FROM INNOVATION HIGH SCHOOL; LEXIE ANTOLIK FROM COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL; ARIELLE PEDERSEN FROM VALLEY PARK HIGH SCHOOL; SRIJANA AKURATI AND SRISAHITHI TADAKAMALLA FROM MARQUETTE HIGH SCHOOL AND MOUNICA VALLURU FROM PARKWAY SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL; RACHEL JACKSON FROM METRO ACADEMIC AND CLASSICAL HIGH SCHOOL; ALEXANDER UNSETH FROM ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL; AUBORY BUGG FROM GRANITE CITY HIGH SCHOOL; FINN McNAMEE FROM METRO ACADEMIC AND CLASSICAL HIGH SCHOOL; ZO Ë MEIER FROM FRANCIS HOWELL NORTH HIGH SCHOOL; "ULTRALIGHT BEAM" -- ANIJAH WARLICK FROM CARDINAL RITTER COLLEGE PREP, AMIYAH McCLURE FROM UNIVERSITY CITY HIGH SCHOOL, RAVYN STUBBLEFIELD AND AMAIYA KNUCKLES-JOHNSON FROM HAZELWOOD CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL, AND AMANI GOODSON AND AMIYAH HARLAN FROM PARKWAY CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL; KURTIS SCHMIDT FROM SECKMAN HIGH SCHOOL; AND TROY STATEN FROM McCLUER HIGH SCHOOL.

♪♪ SEE, I TOLD YOU YOU'D HAVE A FRONT-ROW SEAT.

SO, SIT BACK, RELAX AND ENJOY.

WE'RE GONNA KICK OFF TONIGHT'S COMPETITION WITH HIGH-SCHOOL JUNIOR LUCY SCHENE, SINGING "EVEN THOUGH" FROM THE MUSICAL, "I LOVE YOU BECAUSE."

[PIANO MUSIC] ♪ WHEN YOU FIRST TOLD ME THAT YOU LOVED ME ♪ ♪ I WAS MORE THAN JUST A LITTLE BIT SURPRISED ♪ ♪ BUT THEN YOU LEFT AND I REALIZED ♪ ♪ THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT YOU ♪ ♪ SOMETHING SO THAT I COULDN'T LIVE WITHOUT YOU ♪ ♪ AND EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE JUST A LITTLE BIT PRETENTIOUS ♪ ♪ EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE MORE TRADITIONAL THAN MY DAD ♪ ♪ EVEN THOUGH YOU DROVE ME CRAZY FROM "HELLO, ♪ ♪ YOU TOUCHED A PART OF ME ♪ I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW I HAD ♪ AND SO, I NEED TO SAY I WANT YOU ANYWAY ♪ ♪ I WANT YOU ANYWAY ♪ EVEN THOUGH THE NIGHT WHEN I FIRST MET YOU, ♪ ♪ YOU WERE FREAKISH ♪ NOW LOOK AT US ♪ WE BOTH HAVE COME SO FAR ♪ YOU'RE NOT DIFFERENT ♪ I'M NOT DIFFERENT ♪ BUT IT'S ALTOGETHER DIFFERENT ♪ ♪ 'CAUSE I LOVE YOU IN SPITE OF WHO YOU ARE ♪ ♪ AND EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE SO MUCH PALERE ♪ ♪ THAN MY DREAM MAN ♪ EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE SUCH A DORK ♪ ♪ AND I DON'T FEEL THE WAY I SHOULD ♪ ♪ EVEN THOUGH I SHOULD STOP ♪ WELL, HERE I GO ♪ I LOVE YOU IN A WAY ♪ I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW I COULD ♪ AND SO, I NEED TO SAY I LOVE YOU ANYWAY ♪ ♪ I LOVE YOU ANYWAY ♪ EVEN THOUGH [MUSIC ENDS] MOVING RIGHT ALONG, WE NOW HAVE CLASSICAL PIANIST, HIGH-SCHOOL SOPHOMORE ALEX CHEN, PLAYING CHOPIN'S "ETUDE IN C-SHARP MINOR, OPUS 10, NUMBER 4."

[PIANO MUSIC] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [MUSIC ENDS] WOO.

OUR NEXT CONTESTANT IS HIGH-SCHOOL SOPHOMORE SHANIYA PERRY, SINGING "I'M HERE" FROM THE BROADWAY MUSICAL, "THE COLOR PURPLE."

[PIANO MUSIC] ♪ I DON'T NEED YOU TO LOVE ME ♪ ♪ I DON'T NEED YOU TO LOVE ♪ I GOT... ♪ I GOT... ♪ I GOT MY SISTER ♪ I CAN FEEL HER NOW ♪ SHE MAY NOT BE HERE, BUT SHE'S STILL MINE ♪ ♪ I KNOW SHE STILL LOVE ME ♪ GOT MY CHILDREN ♪ I CAN'T HOLD THEM NOW ♪ THEY MAY NOT BE HERE, BUT THEY STILL MINE ♪ ♪ I HOPE THEY KNOW I STILL LOVE THEM ♪ ♪ GOT MY HOUSE ♪ IT STILL KEEP THE COLD OUT ♪ GOT MY CHAIR ♪ WHEN MY BODY CAN'T HOLD OUT ♪ ♪ GOT MY HANDS ♪ DOIN' GOOD LIKE THEY SUPPOSED TO ♪ ♪ SHOWIN' MY HEART ♪ TO THE FOLKS THAT I'M CLOSE TO ♪ ♪ GOT MY EYES ♪ THOUGH THEY DON'T SEE AS FAR NOW ♪ ♪ THEY SEE MORE 'BOUT HOW THINGS REALLY ARE NOW ♪ [MUSIC CONTINUES] ♪♪ ♪ I'M GONNA TAKE A DEEP BREATH ♪ ♪ GONNA HOLD MY HEAD UP ♪ GONNA PUT MY SHOULDERS BACK ♪ ♪ AND LOOK YOU STRAIGHT IN THE EYE ♪ ♪ I'M GONNA FLIRT WITH SOMEBODY ♪ ♪ WHEN THEY WALK BY ♪ I'M GONNA SING OUT ♪ SING OUT ♪ I BELIEVE I HAVE INSIDE OF ME ♪ ♪ EVERYTHING THAT I NEED TO LIVE A BOUNTIFUL LIFE ♪ ♪ AND ALL THE LOVE ALIVE IN ME ♪ ♪ I'LL STAND AS TALL AS THE TALLEST TREE ♪ ♪ AND I'M THANKFUL FOR EVERY DAY THAT I'M GIVEN ♪ ♪ BOTH THE EASY AND HARD ONES I'M LIVIN' ♪ ♪ BUT MOST OF ALL ♪ I'M THANKFUL FOR LOVING WHO I REALLY AM ♪ ♪ I'M BEAUTIFUL ♪ YES, I'M BEAUTIFUL ♪ AND I'M HERE!

[MUSIC ENDS] HUH.

HIGH-SCHOOL SOPHOMORE, CONTEMPORARY DANCER LEXIE ANTOLIK IS UP NEXT.

SHE'LL BE DANCING TO THE SONG, "CARRY ME HOME."

["CARRY ME HOME" BY THE SWEEPLINGS] ♪ CARRY ME HOME ♪ WHEN THE LIGHT IN MY EYES DOES FADE ♪ ♪ CARRY ME HOME ♪ WHEN THE SHADOW COMES TO TAKE ME AWAY ♪ ♪ LAY DOWN MY BONES ♪ THERE IS PEACE WITHIN THE LIGHT I'VE FOUND ♪ ♪ RELEASE MY SOUL ♪ CARRY ME HOME ♪ OOH, YEAH ♪ OOH, YEAH ♪ OOH, YEAH!

♪ OOH, YEAH!

♪ CARRY ME HOME ♪ WHEN THE LIGHT IN MY EYES DOES FADE ♪ ♪ CARRY ME HOME ♪ WHEN THE SHADOW COMES TO TAKE ME AWAY ♪ ♪ LAY DOWN MY BONES ♪ KNOWING I'LL BE IN A BETTER PLACE ♪ ♪ RELEASE MY SOUL ♪ CARRY ME HOME ♪ HOME ♪ HOME ♪ QUIETLY I FEEL YOUR WHISPER SETTLE ON ME ♪ ♪ QUIETLY I'M CARRIED ON ♪ QUIETLY I FEEL YOUR WHISPER SETTLE ON ME ♪ ♪ QUIETLY YOU LET ME GO ♪ QUIETLY I FEEL YOUR WHISPER SETTLE ON ME ♪ ♪ QUIETLY I'M CARRIED ON ♪ QUIETLY I FEEL YOUR WHISPER SETTLE ON ME ♪ ♪ QUIETLY YOU LET ME GO ♪ QUIETLY I FEEL YOUR WHISPER SETTLE ON ME ♪ ♪ QUIETLY I'M CARRIED ON ♪ QUIETLY I FEEL YOUR WHISPER SETTLE ON ME ♪ ♪ QUIETLY YOU LET ME GO [SONG ENDS] IT'S KIND OF FUN TO HAVE THE "FOX" ALL TO MYSELF, SO I FIGURED I'D GET A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE FROM ALL THE WAY UP HERE.

IT'S LIKE I COULD ALMOST TOUCH THE STARS.

OF COURSE, OUR STARS TONIGHT ARE OUR ST. LOUIS TALENTED TEENS.

NOW, THROUGH THEATRE MAGIC, I'M GONNA TRANSPORT YOU TO AN APARTMENT BUILDING IN NEW YORK CITY.

HERE TO SING "THE GIRL IN 14G" IS HIGH-SCHOOL JUNIOR ARIELLE PEDERSEN.

♪♪ ♪ I JUST MOVED IN TO 14G ♪ SO COZY, CALM AND PEACEFUL ♪ HEAVEN FOR A MOUSE LIKE ME ♪ WITH QUIET BY THE LEASE-FULL ♪ ♪ PETS ARE BANNED AND PARTIES TOO ♪ ♪ AND NO SOLICITATIONS ♪ A WINDOW SEAT WITH GARDEN VIEW ♪ ♪ A PERFECT NOOK TO READ A BOOK ♪ ♪ I'M LOST IN MY JANE AUSTEN WHEN I HEAR ♪ [OPERATIC VOCALIZATION] ♪ SAY IT ISN'T SO ♪ NOT THE FLAT BELOW ♪ FROM AN OPERA WANNABE ♪ IN 13G ♪ A MATINEE OF SOME CANTATA ♪ WAGNER'S RING AND TRAVIATA [OPERATIC VOCALIZATION] ♪♪ ♪ MY FIRST NIGHT IN 14G ♪ I'LL PUT UP WITH PUCCINI ♪ I'LL BREW MYSELF A CUP OF TEA ♪ ♪ CROCHET UNTIL SHE'S "FINI" ♪ HALF PAST EIGHT ♪ NOT A PEEP ♪ EXCEPT THE CLOCK TICK-TOCKIN' ♪ ♪ NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP ♪ A COMFY BED TO REST MY HEAD ♪ ♪ A STRETCH, A YAWN ♪ I'M ALMOST GONE THEN [SCATTING NOISILY] ♪ NOW THE GIRL UPSTAIRS ♪ WAKES ME UNAWARES ♪ BLOWING DOWN FROM 15G ♪ HER "REVEILLE" ♪ SHE'S SCATTIN' LIKE HER NAME IS ELLA ♪ ♪ GUESS WHO ANSWERS A CAPPELLA?

♪ [ESCALATING TRANSITIONS BETWEEN OPERA AND SCATTING] ♪ I'M NOT ONE TO RAISE MY VOICE ♪ ♪ MAKE A FUSS OR SPEAK MY MIND ♪ ♪ BUT MIGHT I QUERY ♪ WOULD YOU MIND IF ♪ COULD YOU KINDLY ♪ STOP!

[SPOKEN] THAT FELT GOOD.

[SINGING LOUDER] ♪ STOP!

♪ 13, 15, 14G ♪ A MOST UNLIKELY TRIO ♪ NOT QUITE THREE-PART HARMONY ♪ ♪ ALL DAY AND NIGHT WE'RE SINGING ♪ [SCATTING] ♪ STOP [OPERATIC VOCALIZATION] ♪ HAD MY FILL OF PEACE AND QUIET ♪ ♪ SHOUT OUT LOUD ♪ I'VE CHANGED MY DIET ♪ ALL BECAUSE OF 14G!

[SONG ENDS] HMM.

MOVING RIGHT ALONG, WE NOW HAVE TRADITIONAL INDIAN DANCE.

THESE ARE SOPHOMORES SRIJANA AKURATI, SRISAHITHI TADAKAMALLA AND JUNIOR MOUNICA VALLURU.

["NATESHA KAUTHUVAM" BY VEMPATI SATYAM] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [SONG ENDS] THE SPOKEN WORD IS FAST BECOMING A CULTURAL PHENOMENON.

OUR NEXT CONTESTANT IS GRADUATING HIGH-SCHOOL SENIOR RACHEL JACKSON, PERFORMING HER ORIGINAL PIECE ENTITLED, "ENVY/PEACE."

I ENVY MY THOUGHTS I ENVY THE FANTASIES THAT SWIRL AROUND MY BRAIN BEFORE I FEEL SHORT OF BREATH AS ANXIETY PLACES ITS TWO HANDS AROUND MY THROAT TO SQUEEZE TEARS FROM MY EYES FOR DEPRESSION TO CATCH AND THROW INTO THE OCEAN OF WHAT IF MY MIND FORM BECAUSE OF OTHERS I--I ENVY MY THOUGHTS I ENVY THOSE WHO ENVY ME BECAUSE THEY SEE THE THINGS THAT I DON'T GO THROUGH MUCH LIKE A "BAND-AID," THE HEALING HAPPENS BENEATH THE SURFACE I ENVY MY THOUGHTS I ENVY MY PEN FOR COMPOSING WORDS I WISH TO SAY FROM MY MOUTH BUT THESE LIPS ONLY SING BEAUTIFUL LULLABIES THAT CAUSE NIGHTMARES I ENVY MY THOUGHTS I ENVY THE LIES THAT I TELL MYSELF WHENEVER I SEE PEACE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO ACQUIRE FOR MY HOUSEHOLD I ENVY MY THOUGHTS BUT I PRAY TO GOD EVERY DAY BEGGING FOR YOUR PRESENCE PEACE, YOU ARE THE PROMISE GOD OFFERS AFTER THE STORMS BUT SOMETIMES I WISH YOU CAN PULL ME FROM THE MIDST OF MY CHAOS AND PROTECT ME FROM THE TONGUES OF THE ONES WHO SPEAK CURSES OVER ME LIKE THE CLOUDS THAT DISTORT MY VISION THEY ALWAYS TELL ME TO WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT I PRAY TO GOD EVERY DAY BEGGING FOR YOUR PRESENCE BUT I FEEL LIKE YOU'VE ABANDONED ME LIKE MY CHAOS IS TOO MUCH TO BEAR I CRIED OUT TO THE STORMS INSTEAD OF GOD ONE DAY "MY CHAOS IS TOO MUCH TO BEAR," I SCREAMED AND GOD SILENCED MY TONGUE HE DEMANDED MY EARS TO LISTEN HE PLACED ME IN SOLITUDE AND WHISPERED IN MY EAR, "YET THE STORMS RAGE ON.

THE SUN IS ALWAYS SHINING.

THESE STORMS ARE TEMPORARY, BUT THE ONE TRUE SON IS FOREVERMORE."

I TOLD GOD THAT I ENVIED MY THOUGHTS.

AND HE SAID, "I KNOW.

I HEAR YOUR PRAYERS EVERY DAY BEGGING FOR THE PRESENCE OF PEACE."

MM.

THE VARIETY OF TALENT THIS YEAR IS TRULY AMAZING, AND FOR JUST A LITTLE MORE VARIETY, THIS IS CELLIST, COMPOSER, HIGH-SCHOOL SENIOR ALEXANDER UNSETH, PERFORMING HIS OWN PIECE ENTITLED, "BEETHOVEN ON BROADWAY."

[PIANO MUSIC] [CELLO MUSIC JOINS IN] [PIANO MUSIC CONTINUES] ♪♪ ♪♪ [CELLO MUSIC JOINS IN] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [SONG ENDS] WELCOME TO THE "FOX CLUB."

I FIGURED AS LONG AS I HAVE THE PLACE TO MYSELF, I MAY AS WELL CHECK IT OUT.

NOW, OUR NEXT CONTESTANT IS MULTI-TALENTED.

SHE SINGS, SHE PLAYS THE PIANO, AND TONIGHT, SHE ACCOMPANIES HERSELF ON THE GUITAR.

HERE TO PLAY "IF YOU WERE THE RAIN" BY STEPHEN DAY, THIS IS HIGH-SCHOOL JUNIOR AUBORY BUGG.

[GUITAR MUSIC] ♪ IT ISN'T RAININ' ♪ ISN'T THAT A SHAME?

♪ SOMETIMES THE SUNSHINE NEEDS A BREAK ♪ ♪ IT ISN'T RAININ' ♪ ISN'T THAT A SHAME?

♪ SOMETIMES THE SUNSHINE NEEDS A BREAK ♪ ♪ IF YOU WERE THE RAIN ♪ I WOULD PRAY ♪ LORD, IT'S TOO DRY EVERY NIGHT ♪ ♪ YES, IF YOU WERE THE RAIN ♪ AND I WAS OUTSIDE ♪ NO, I WOULDN'T RUN ♪ I WOULDN'T HIDE ♪ I'D JUST LOOK UP TO THE SKY AND I'D SAY, ♪ ♪ "THAT'S OKAY, 'CAUSE TODAY, ♪ ♪ WELL, I WANNA PLAY IN THE RAIN, ♪ ♪ AND THAT'S ALRIGHT, WELL, I DON'T MIND ♪ ♪ A LITTLE TIME WITH NO SUNSHINE" ♪ ♪ WELL, SOMEDAY YOU'LL FALL ♪ LIKE RAIN INTO MY ARMS ♪ AND FINALLY LEAVE THE SKY ♪ YOU THOUGHT WAS HOME ♪ FORECAST CALLS FOR RAIN ♪ SAYS YOU'RE COMING SOON, WELL ♪ ♪ YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I'M GONNA DO ♪ ♪ I'D JUST LOOK UP TO THE SKY AND I'D SAY, ♪ ♪ "WELL, THAT'S OKAY, 'CAUSE TODAY, ♪ ♪ WELL, I WANNA PLAY IN THE RAIN ♪ ♪ AND THAT'S ALRIGHT ♪ WELL, I DON'T MIND ♪ A LITTLE TIME WITH NO SUNSHINE, YEAH" ♪ [SCATTING] ♪ OH, GO AHEAD AND START RAINING ♪ ♪ IF YOU WERE THE RAIN, I'D BE SAYING ♪ ♪ OH, GO AHEAD AND START RAINING ♪ ♪ IF YOU WERE THE RAIN, I'D BE SAYING, ♪ ♪ "THAT'S OKAY, 'CAUSE TODAY, ♪ ♪ WELL, I WANNA PLAY IN THE RAIN, ♪ ♪ THAT'S ALRIGHT ♪ WELL, I DON'T MIND ♪ A LITTLE TIME WITH NO SUNSHINE" ♪ ♪ SEE, THAT'S OKAY, 'CAUSE TODAY, ♪ ♪ WELL, I WANNA PLAY IN THE RAIN ♪ ♪ THAT'S ALRIGHT, WELL, I DON'T MIND ♪ ♪ A LITTLE TIME WITH NO SUNSHINE ♪ GET READY FOR OUR NEXT CONTESTANT AS WE MOVE FOR THE WORLD OF THE CIRCUS.

HERE HE IS.

THIS IS HIGH-SCHOOL JUNIOR FINN McNAMEE.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [MUSIC ENDS] PLEASE DO NOT TRY THAT AT HOME.

OUR NEXT CONTESTANT BRINGS US RIGHT BACK TO THE WORLD OF CLASSICAL MUSIC.

HERE TO SING A GERMAN ART SONG IS HIGH-SCHOOL SENIOR ZO Ë MEIER.

[PIANO MUSIC] [SINGING IN GERMAN] ♪ DIE IHR SCHWEBET ♪ UM DIESE PALMEN ♪ IN NACHT UND WIND, ♪ IHR HEILGEN ENGEL, ♪ STILLET DIE WIPFEL ♪ ES SCHLUMMERT MEIN KIND ♪♪ ♪ IHR PALMEN VON BETHLEHEM ♪ IM WINDESBRAUSEN, ♪ WIE M ÖGT IHR HEUTE ♪ SO ZORNIG SAUSEN ♪♪ ♪ O RAUSCHT NICHT ALSO ♪ SCHWEIGET, NEIGET ♪ EUCH LEIS UND LIND ♪ STILLET DIE WIPFEL ♪ ES SCHLUMMERT MEIN KIND ♪♪ ♪ DER HIMMELSKNABE ♪ DULDET BESCHWERDE ♪ ACH, WIE SO M ÜD ER WARD ♪ VOM LEID DER ERDE ♪ ACH NUN IM SCHLAF IHM ♪ LEISE GES ÄNFTIGT ♪ DIE QUAL ZERRINNT ♪ STILLET DIE WIPFEL ♪ ES SCHLUMMERT MEIN KIND ♪♪ ♪ GRIMMIGE K ÄLTE ♪ SAUSET HERNIEDER ♪ WOMIT NUR DECK ICH ♪ DES KINDLEINS GLIEDER!

♪ O ALL IHR ENGEL, ♪ DIE IHR GEFL ÜGELT ♪ WANDELT IM WIND ♪ STILLET DIE WIPFEL!

♪ ES SCHLUMMERT MEIN KIND [MUSIC ENDS] OUR LARGEST GROUP ACT OF THE NIGHT IS UP NEXT.

THEY ARE MODERN DANCERS WHO CALL THEMSELVES "ULTRALIGHT BEAM" AFTER THE KANYE WEST SONG OF THE SAME NAME.

HERE ARE SOPHOMORE ANIJAH WARLICK, HIGH-SCHOOL JUNIOR RAVYN STUBBLEFIELD, AND GRADUATING SENIORS AMIYAH MCCLURE, AMANI GOODSON, AMAIYA KNUCKLES-JOHNSON AND AMIYAH HARLAN.

[GLOCKENSPIEL MUSIC] WOMAN: MANY WONDER HOW WE DO IT, HOW WE CAN STILL RISE UP IN SPITE OF OUR BODIES BEING BREANNA'D AND TAYLOR-MADE FOR BOXES NEVER MEANT TO BE BIG ENOUGH TO HOLD OUR BREATH.

I NEVER EXPECT THEM TO UNDERSTAND THIS TYPE OF ASCENSION.

THIS DIMENSION REQUIRES A FLOYD LIKE FLUORESCENCE.

SO, IN BETWEEN THEIR ATTEMPTS AND ALL OF THEIR ATTACKS AND EVERYTHING WE DO TO MAKE OUR BLACK NOT CRACK, THE REALITY IS THAT WE DO, AND WE BLEED.

SO, THIS IS A CALL TO EMBRACE EVERY PART OF WHO WE BE.

AND I KNOW IT MAY SEEM LIKE THESE THINGS DON'T MATCH, BUT LOOK, THIS IS THE FULLNESS OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE BLACK.

SO, FROM H.B.C.U.

TO B.A.F.U., WE WILL ONE-TWO STEP AND MANIFEST A MIRACLE IN THE FACE OF OUTRIGHT MURDER.

THIS IS WHY THEY CALL US "MAGIC, 'CAUSE WE HAVE SHAKEN OFF MORE DEVILS THAN THE AVERAGE MAN CAN IMAGINE.

SO, FROM STREET-GUTTER HUSTLER OR MOUNTAIN-TOP SOUL, THIS IS US SEEING OUR PIECES AND LOVING OURSELVES WHOLE.

["ULTRALIGHT BEAM" BY KANYE WEST] ♪ WE DON'T WANT NO DEVILS IN THE HOUSE, GOD ♪ ♪ (YES, LORD) ♪ WE WANT THE LORD ♪ (YES, JESUS) ♪ AND THAT'S IT ♪ (YES, GOD) ♪ HALLEJ-- HAND OVER SATAN ♪ (YES, JESUS) ♪ JESUS, PRAISE THE LORD ♪ (YES, GOD) ♪ AND THAT'S IT ♪ I'M TRYNA KEEP MY FAITH ♪ WE ON AN ULTRALIGHT BEAM ♪ WE ON AN ULTRALIGHT BEAM ♪ THIS IS A GOD DREAM ♪ THIS IS A GOD DREAM ♪ THIS IS EVERYTHING ♪ THIS IS EVERYTHING ♪ DELIVER US SERENITY ♪ DELIVER US PEACE ♪ DELIVER US LOVING ♪ WE KNOW WE NEED IT ♪ YOU KNOW WE NEED IT ♪ YOU KNOW WE NEED IT ♪ WE ON AN ULTRALIGHT BEAM ♪ WE ON AN ULTRALIGHT BEAM ♪ THIS IS A GOD DREAM ♪ THIS IS A GOD DREAM ♪ THIS IS EVERYTHING ♪ EVERYTHING ♪ I'M TRYNA KEEP MY FAITH ♪ SO, WHY SEND DEPRESSION NOT BLESSINGS?

♪ ♪ WHY, OH, WHY'D YOU DO ME WRONG?

♪ ♪ YOU PERSECUTE THE WEAK ♪ BECAUSE IT MAKES YOU FEEL SO STRONG ♪ ♪ DON'T HAVE MUCH STRENGTH TO FIGHT ♪ ♪ SO, I LOOK TO THE LIGHT ♪ TO MAKE THESE WRONGS TURN RIGHT ♪ ♪ HEAD UP HIGH, I LOOK TO THE LIGHT ♪ ♪ HEY, 'CAUSE I KNOW THAT ♪ YOU'LL MAKE EVERYTHING ALRIGHT ♪ ♪ AND I KNOW THAT YOU'LL TAKE ♪ ♪ GOOD CARE OF YOUR CHILD ♪ OH, NO LONGER AM AFRAID OF THE NIGHT ♪ ♪ 'CAUSE I, I LOOK TO THE LIGHT ♪ ♪ WHEN THEY COME FOR YOU ♪ THEY DON'T -- THEY DON'T KNOW ♪ ♪ THEY DON'T KNOW ♪ THIS IS MY PART, NOBODY ELSE SPEAK ♪ ♪ THIS IS MY PART, NOBODY ELSE SPEAK ♪ ♪ THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE ♪ GLORY BE TO GOD, YEAH ♪ I'MMA MAKE SURE THAT THEY GO WHERE THEY CAN'T GO ♪ ♪ IF THEY DON'T WANNA RIDE, ♪ I'MMA STILL GIVE THEM RAINCOATS ♪ ♪ KNOW WHAT GOD SAID WHEN HE MADE THE FIRST RAINBOW ♪ ♪ JUST THROW THIS AT THE END ♪ IF I'M LATE FOR THE INTRO MAN: FATHER, THIS PRAYER IS FOR EVERYONE THAT FEELS THEY'RE NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

THIS PRAYER'S FOR EVERYBODY THAT FEEL THAT THEY'RE TOO MESSED UP, FOR EVERYONE THAT FEELS THEY SAID "I'M SORRY" TOO MANY TIMES.

YOU CAN NEVER GO TOO FAR WHEN YOU CAN'T COME BACK HOME AGAIN.

THAT'S WHY I NEED... CHOIR: ♪ FAITH!

♪ MORE!

[SONG ENDS] WE HAVE ANOTHER CLASSICAL PIANIST FOR YOU TONIGHT: HIGH-SCHOOL SOPHOMORE KURTIS SCHMIDT.

HE'LL BE PLAYING A PIECE BY CLAUDE DEBUSSY.

[PIANO MUSIC] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [MUSIC ENDS] AND FINALLY, TO BRING THIS COMPETITION TO A CLOSE, WE HAVE GRADUATING HIGH-SCHOOL SENIOR TROY STATEN, SINGING HIS RENDITION OF "NOT MY FATHER'S SON" BY CYNDI LAUPER.

[PIANO MUSIC] ♪ WHEN I WAS JUST A KID ♪ EVERYTHING I DID WAS TO BE LIKE HIM ♪ ♪ UNDER MY SKIN ♪ MY FATHER ALWAYS THOUGHT ♪ IF I WAS STRONG AND FOUGHT ♪ NOT LIKE SOME ALBATROSS ♪ I'D BEGIN ♪ TO FIT IN ♪ LOOK AT ME ♪ I'M POWERLESS AND HOLDING MY BREATH ♪ ♪ TRYING HARD TO REPRESS WHAT SCARED HIM TO DEATH ♪ ♪ IT WAS NOT THAT EASY TO BE HIS TYPE OF MAN ♪ ♪ TO BREATHE FREELY WAS NOT IN HIS PLAN ♪ ♪ AND THE BEST PART OF ME ♪ IS WHAT HE WOULDN'T SEE ♪ I'M NOT MY FATHER'S SON ♪ AND I'M NOT THE IMAGE OF WHAT HE DREAMED OF ♪ ♪ WITH THE STRENGTH OF SPARTA AND THE PATIENCE OF JOB ♪ ♪ STILL COULDN'T BE THE ONE ♪ TO ECHO WHAT HE'D DONE ♪ AND MIRROR WHAT WAS NOT IN ME ♪ ♪ OH, OH!

♪ THE ENDLESS STORIES OF EXPECTATIONS ♪ ♪ SWIRLING INSIDE MY MIND ♪ IT WORE ME DOWN ♪ AND I CAME TO A REALIZATION ♪ ♪ AND I FINALLY TURNED IT AROUND ♪ ♪ TO SEE ♪ THAT I COULD JUST BE ME ♪ I'M NOT MY FATHER'S SON ♪ AND I'M NOT THE IMAGE OF WHAT HE DREAMED OF ♪ ♪ WITH THE STRENGTH OF SPARTA AND THE PATIENCE OF JOB ♪ ♪ STILL COULDN'T BE THE ONE ♪ TO ECHO WHAT HE'D DONE ♪ AND MIRROR WHAT WAS NOT IN ME ♪ ♪ WE'RE THE SAME ♪ WE'RE THE SAME ♪ YOU AND ME [SONG ENDS] ♪♪ WHAT AN INCREDIBLE LINEUP OF TALENT WE HAVE FOR OUR ELEVENTH YEAR!

THE JUDGES HAVE SENT IN THEIR SCORES, AND HERE ARE THE RESULTS.

THE 3rd-PLACE, $4,000 SCHOLARSHIP IS UNDERWRITTEN BY SALLY JOHNSTON.

AND THE WINNER IS... [DRUMROLL] ..."ULTRALIGHT BEAM!"

♪♪ THE 2nd-PLACE, $6,000 SCHOLARSHIP IS UNDERWRITTEN BY JOHN RUSSELL.

AND SECOND PLACE GOES TO... [DRUMROLL] ...AUBORY BUGG!

♪♪ AND THE 1st-PLACE, $8,000 SCHOLARSHIP IS UNDERWRITTEN BY "AMEREN CORPORATION CHARITABLE TRUST."

AND THE WINNER OF THE ELEVENTH ANNUAL ST. LOUIS TEEN TALENT COMPETITION IS... [DRUMROLL] ...TROY STATEN!

♪♪ THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN!

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU NEXT YEAR IN PERSON AT OUR TWELFTH ANNUAL ST. LOUIS TEEN TALENT COMPETITION IN 2022, WHERE I WILL WAVE TO YOU FROM RIGHT HERE ONSTAGE AT THE "FABULOUS FOX THEATRE."

GOOD NIGHT!

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪