MICHELLE WILLARD, Post Staff Writer
Posted: Monday, July 21, 2008 2:40 pm

Generation for Creation’s 6th annual Children’s Benefit Talent Competition returns to Middle Tennessee State University’s Tucker Theater at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 26.

The competition concludes a two-day event, which also includes a reception for talent show host Lynnette Cole from 6-8 p.m. Friday, July 25, at the Patterson Park Community Center.

"Each year my spirit is renewed knowing that Generation for Creation exists giving children a place to encourage, develop, create and express their talents," said Cole, former Miss USA and current director of Miss Southern Tennessee. "Sometimes we all need to remember our dreams as a child and aspire to be everything we want to be."

Children, age 7-17, from five different Middle Tennessee communities will release their dreams by competing in art, music, dance and drama at the talent show.

This year’s contestants were chosen based on auditions that were conducted in Murfreesboro, Nashville, McMinneville and Shelbyville, said Monica Shareé Johnson, founder and creative director of GFC, making this year’s talent pool the most diverse in the show’s history.

Rutherford County youth chosen to participate in this year’s talent show are as follows: Dakoda Rollins and Fred Griffith, both of La Vergne, and Murfreesboro residents Kendric Dartis, Jordan Davis, Colton and Schyler Dixon, Brooke Frazier, Luke Harvey, Sara Helton, Molly Kenny, Zack Montgomery, Matt Lamparter, Zoe Montgomery, Wesley Stiles, Morgan Trammell and Mary Grace Williams, respectively.

Contestants from areas outside the county include Edwin Moore, Biana Chery, Mallory Casson, Trace Marshall and Taylor Powell, all of Shelbyville; Chelsea Kelly of Decherd; Briana Grime of Antioch; Dillon Mason of Rock Island; Mileah Milstead, Bryce Caten and Kara Caten, all of McMinnville; Ashley Lackey of Lebanon; and Caitlin Dobbins and Nicole Elmore, both of Hendersonville.

Prizes include cash or savings bond for the top three winning contestants and trophies for first, second and third place in each category.

The Lynn Henney Bailey Memorial Scholarship will also be presented at the talent show. Bialey, community advocate, Generation for Creation supporter and breast cancer survivor, died of heart failure in April.

Founded in 2001, Generation for Creation is a nonprofit visual and performing arts program for children ages 7-17, regardless of ability, disability, race, or religion. Classes are taught bi-monthly at the Boys and Girls Club in Murfreesboro.

Performances, history plays, and holiday concerts are scheduled three times per year at local theatrical stages.

For more information about GFC, including information about its weekly acting classes for children, upcoming productions or volunteer/sponsorship information, visit its Web site at www.gfckids.org or call 615-890-7116.