‘Ohio Has Talent’ contestants named

Community Health Professionals information

Auditions have been held and the lineup is set for the annual “Ohio Has Talent!” competition, to be held at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Van Wert on Saturday, February 28, at 7 p.m.

The benefit show, now in its eighth year, raises funds for the nonprofit Community Health Professionals’ Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

This year’s show features 16 local and regional performers — ranging in age from 12 to 90 — competing for $1,000, $500 and $250 prizes determined by audience votes.

Ohio Has Talent! 2015 contestants:

Doug Adams, 31, a singer/guitar player from Celina

Eric Adams, 24, a singer/song-writer/guitar player from Celina

Awakened Commotion, a cappella group of select eighth to twelfth grade students from Hardin Northern High School in Dola

Gabe Bailey, a 12-year-old musician from Berne, Ind. will sing and play piano

May Coppler, 12, of Fostoria studies voice, ballet, flute and piano and won back-to-back international talent titles in Las Vegas this summer

Yan Coppler of Fostoria received classical training in high school and is a previous winner in her category in “Fostoria’s Got Talent”

Sam Duquette, 13, is a vocalist originally from Gibson City, Illinois, now living in Van Wert. She will be accompanied by Aaron Cooper, also of Van Wert

Alexis Heath, 13, a singer/song-writer/guitar player from St. Henry

Kuroi Taka Taiko, Japanese drumming groups from Mississinawa Valley Middle and High School in Union City have played throughout the state and several cities over the past eight years

Mack Newman, 90, of Dunkirk; plays pop, country and blues harmonica

Tyler Nygren, 16, of Van Wert is an award-winning illusionist who has performed across the country

Diana Rose, 12, a vocalist from Coldwater who has placed in several area talent shows

Victoria Ruble, 17, a student athlete singer/dancer from Garrett, Ind. currently holds the title of Miss Northeast’s Outstanding Teen 2015 for the Indiana circuit of Miss America’s Outstanding Teen

Saxophone Quintet from Delphos St. John’s Schools – consisting of Samantha Stevenson, Madison Fulk, Alexis Deffenbaugh, Haley Rode, and Sara Clossen – a five-part harmony arrangement with four altos and a baritone saxophone.

Alex Schlegel, a 16-year-old dancer from Defiance will perform the “Evolution of Dance”

Sarah Vanbrocklin, a 13-year-old vocalist from Botkins participates in community theater and has performed in five musicals

The dance duo of Kaden Hohman and Sayler Wise of Van Wert will perform during the vote counting. The dance duo claimed first place in last year’s Ohio Has Talent!

Contestant photos and bios are posted at comhealthpro.org/Ohio_Has_Talent.php and Facebook.com/ComHealthPro.

Tickets start at just $10 through the NPAC ticket office, 419.238.6722, and online at npacvw.ticketforce.com. Select tickets are also available through Community Health Professionals, 1159 Westwood Drive in Van Wert, or by calling 419.238.9223.