mmccolm@valleypublishinginc.com 

MONTE VISTA- The curtain is about to rise, the lights are ready to shine, and for one unforgettable evening, the San Luis Valley's brightest stars may be discovered right in their own hometown. 

Whether it's a powerful vocal performance, an energetic dance routine, an original comedy act, dazzling magic tricks, instrumental music or a hidden talent waiting to be revealed, Valley's Got Talent is inviting residents from across the region to step into the spotlight on Saturday, July 25, at Bill Metz Auditorium. 

Presented by Adam and Kayla Smith and Ms. Kais Academy of Performing Arts, the event promises much more than a talent competition. It will be an evening dedicated to celebrating the incredible creativity found throughout the San Luis Valley while raising funds for the Ms. Kais Scholarship Fund and Accomplished Mission trips. 

The Smiths are no strangers to creating opportunities for local performers. Earlier this month, the Valley Courier featured Ms. Kais Academy of Performing Arts following the studio's remarkable success at the Rainbow Dance Competition Nationals in Galveston, Texas, where dancers returned home with numerous Platinum and Double Platinum awards, Now, the couple is taking that same passion for encouraging performers beyond the studio walls by inviting the entire Valley to showcase its talents. 

"We wanted to create something that brings our communities together," Kayla Smith said. "This isn't just about winning. It's about giving people an opportunity to share their gifts, build confidence, inspire others and have fun doing something they love." 

Smith said one aspect that makes the competition unique is that contestants won't be divided into age groups. Instead, everyone—from young children to adults—will perform in the same competition, something she believes will make the event even more exciting. 

Vendor booths will be open at 1 p.m., offering visitors the chance to browse local businesses, shop with vendors and enjoy the festive atmosphere before the auditorium doors open at 5 p.m. The competition will begin at 6 p.m. 

Admission is $15, while children 3 years old and younger will be admitted free. Tickets may be purchased online or at the door while seats remain available. 

Contestants aged 3 and up are invited to compete. Individual registration is $15, while groups may enter for $30. Organizers welcome singers, dancers, musicians, comedians, magicians and performers with talents of every kind. 

Competitors will be vying for exciting prizes, including a $300 cash prize and the honor of becoming the first-ever Valley's Got Talent Champion. The second-place winner will receive $100, while third place will be awarded a gift certificate. 

One of the event's judges, Jennifer Dye Becker, said she believes the competition will reveal something the San Luis Valley has always had—an abundance of talent. 

"I've always believed our little Valley is filled with incredible talent," Becker said. "I've seen children perform, adults who love to sing karaoke and so many people with gifts they've never had the chance to share. There are hidden talents all across this Valley, and I can't wait to see everyone who enters. I'm honored to be a judge, and I hope our community comes out to support these performers because I know it's going to be a wonderful evening." 

For the Smiths, Valley's Got Talent is about much more than trophies or prize money. It's about creating an opportunity for performers to step outside their comfort zones and remind the community of the incredible talent that exists right here at home. 

Whether you're taking the stage for the very first time or simply cheering from the audience, Kayla Smith would like to invite everyone to be part of an evening filled with music, laughter, inspiration and hometown pride. 

After all, some of the brightest stars aren't found on television, they're our neighbors and friends. On July 25, they'll have their chance to prove that extraordinary talent has been here in the San Luis Valley all along.