With a haunting, original arrangement of Michael Jackson’s hit Billie Jean,
and a soaring vocal performance, 19-year old Modesto resident Francesca Heyward
took home the Children’s Hospital Central California $1,500 grand prize at the Valley’s
Got Talent 2011 show co-presented by the Gallo Center and the Modesto Bee on Friday
and Saturday, August 26 and 27.
The event, featuring 26 acts and more than 90 performers, was notable for dramatic
and high energy performances throughout, and, in the eyes of the show’s judges,
a depth of variety and talent that made choosing winners a challenging task.
In addition to being the unanimous choice of the judges at the finals performance
on Saturday evening, Heyward also was the audience favorite at the first show on
Friday. The audience vote counted as the equivalent of one judge.
Justin Su’esu’e of Modesto won the $750 vocal talent achievement award sponsored
by Varni Brothers 7 UP Bottling Company; Stockton’s Chelsea Hill took home the $750
Central Valley Auto Group dance talent achievement award; yo-yo performer Chris
Ng of Oakdale won the $750 Central Valley Auto Group specialty talent achievement
award, and guitar soloist Steven Converse of Modesto won the $750 instrumental talent
achievement award.
Judges for Valley’s Got Talent 2011 were Dr. Jim Johnson, arts education coordinator
for the Gallo Center; Modesto Bee publisher Eric Johnston; Stanislaus Arts Council
executive director Grace Lieberman; Nancy Maxon, representing Children’s Hospital
Central California; casting director Robert Ulrich; actress Kim Johnston Ulrich,
and Tony Varni of 7 UP Bottling Company of Modesto.
