The “Show Me Whatcha Got” talent and variety competition, produced by Three Rivers students in coordination with community college staff, attracted a full-house audience Friday night.

ShowMe Watcha Got winner Tanisha Jones of Poplar Bluff (left) and runner-up Sarahann Hill of Fairdealing receive applause on stage last week with emcee Zach McAnulty.
“I am so ecstatic that Poplar Bluff supported this event like it did,” said show creator Mitch Davis, a Three Rivers student and one of the show’s judges. “The audience was involved with the show from the get-go, whether it was responding to the judges’ comments or text-voting their opinion of each contestant.”
Davis reports that the Tinnin Center auditorium was packed to its full capacity of 520, and an estimated 40 people had to be turned away. Proceeds from tickets sales will be donated to the United Cancer Assistance Network, and several private citizens were inspired to donate to UCAN after the show, Davis said.
Tanisha Jones, a singer from Poplar Bluff, won first place and an iPad 2. Jones impressed the judges with her rendition of “One Plus One” by Beyonce, and advanced to the final round when she won the competition with “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys.
Sarahann Hill, a vocalist, guitarist and songwriter from Fairdealing, won second place and an iPhone 4S. Hill performed one of her own songs for the first round, and performed “Hallelujah” for the final round, accompanied by first-round contestant Pride Wilder.
Acts ranged in variety, and included a routine by trick hoola-hooper Hilary Webb, as well as dance and musical performances in all styles, and even a Tae Kwon Do demonstration. Prizes for the winners were donated by local businesses.
“The show as a product was flawless,” said Lindsey Wickham, one of a panel of four judges. “The opportunity it offered to showcase local talent is unmatched in Poplar Bluff to date. Any talented person should look to the ShowMe Whatcha Got stage if they are looking to find recognition. It is a quality production.”
Davis stated he was already beginning preparations for next year’s show.
“The students involved sacrificed a lot of their time between work and school to make this event a success, and it paid off big,” said Cody Knodell, another member of the judging panel. “The Three Rivers Student Government Association did a great job providing students with a unique platform to display their abilities, and I expect this event to only get better in the years to come.”