Eastern Arizona College’s Lee Little Theatre was filled near capacity Thursday night for the first teen drug-free inspired talent show.

The Gila Valley Community Advisory Board presented the talent show so young people could send their own anti-drug message to their peers and community. The seventeen entries each incorporated an anti-drug message and performed their talents on the stage vying for prize money worth a total of $1,750. The prize money was donated by the Graham County Sheriff’s Office from a grant it received.

The advisory board is made up of a group of volunteers from the community who advise juvenile court Judge Corey Sanders on what is necessary to assist local youth.

Sara Green performs an interpretive dance for her talent.Photo by Jon Johnson

Sanders said the biggest problem facing the Gila Valley is probably drug and alcohol abuse by the area’s youth. He said this is the second year of the advisory board and that last year it delivered an anti-drug message to every sixth-grade class in Graham County. The board will repeat the feat in 2009 but will have the winners of the talent show come along and perform their talent as well.

Judging the talent show was Miss Arizona 2008 Erin Nurss, local musician and DJ William Perry, Safford Police officer Sherri O’Neal, Randa Owens and EAC student and choir member Tucker Brown.

After a night filled with singing, music, dance and theater, the judges deliberated for 20 minutes before announcing a tie for first place.

Shannon McCray from Safford High School and Napoleon Gayme from Mount Graham High School each received $500 for sharing first place. McCray performed an interpretive dance, and Gayme performed a crowd-pleasing original rap song infused with reasons why one should stay away from drugs.

McCray said her dance was about making a change to become a better person.

“My message tonight is about believing in yourself to stay away from drugs or believing that you can make the change to walk away from drugs,” she said.

Second place and $400 was awarded to the Thatcher High School drama group of Ky Van Shaar, Nick Brewer, Shelby Lutz and Michelle Robinson for their original piece dealing with the death of a friend by a drug overdose.

Third place and $250 was awarded to the comedy team of Ryan Huffman and Kaden Larkey of Thatcher High School for their “Top 5 List” of other things to waste money on besides drugs.

Fourth place and $100 went to Benjamin Bryce of Pima High School for his slap guitar performance.