Hey, everybody.

I'm Bill Riley and... I'm Abrah Wright.

And we are backstage at the 67th edition of the Bill Riley Talent Championships.

The judges are ready.

The crowd is tremendous.

We're ready.

The acts are ready.

I hope you're ready, because we're going to kick this baby off right now.

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(Music) Oh boy.

Abrah, what a crowd we have here.

I'm Bill Riley.

This is my cohost, Abrah Wright.

Thank you so much for joining us.

Wow, what a day.

[Abrah] I would say the performers have one of the best audiences here.

This is exciting.

[Bill] You ordered the weather, right?

[Abrah] Yes.

After last year.

Yes.

[Bill] Last year was a little toasty out here.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much for joining us.

And hello to everybody viewing on Iowa PBS statewide.

And I'll add some of the surrounding states of Iowa are viewing in.

So welcome.

This is the 67th edition of the Bill Riley Talent Search and the championship.

We're going to kick it off right away.

But Abrah, we need to announce our judges.

[Abrah] Yes, it takes an esteem.. make some tough decisions here today.

So without further ado, let's welcome our first judge, Janice Baker.

Janice is an assistant professor in dance at Iowa State University.

She's an associate director of Iowa Dance Theater, linking many area studios in diverse educational and performing activities.

We are pleased to have her Janice Baker.

Next, we have Dr.

Jennifer Wohlenhaus Bloomberg.

Jennifer is the principal oboist of the Des Moines Symphony.

In addition to performing Dr.

Wollenhaupt Bloomberg teaches oboe, bassoon, music theory and aural skills at Drake University.

Dr.

Jennifer Wohlenhaus Bloomberg.

Our third judge is Edwin Griffith.

Edwin is a classically trained vocalist, a three time winner of the NATS competition and a regional finalist with the New York Metropolitan Opera Auditions.

We are so pleased to have you Edwin Griffith.

(Applause) Next up is Adrian Oldenburger.

Adrian is a professional ballet dancer with the Stuttgart Ballet in Germany.

He was a Prix de Lausanne selection and Bill's favorite, the Bill Riley Grand Champion in 2013.

Welcome back Adrian Oldenburger.

Next is Dr.

Nicholas Roth.

Dr.

Roth, professor of piano at Drake University, is a fellow of the American Pianists Association and an internationally featured performer and teacher.

We are glad to have you, Dr.

Nicholas Roth.

And rounding out a very competent panel is Matthew Schutt.

Matthew is a national board certified music teacher.

He is a graduate of Wartburg College in Waverly and has dedicated 35 years to teaching in Iowa schools.

We are so pleased to have you, Matthew Schutt.

What a terrific panel of judges we have.

I am so excited for them to get to see the best and brightest in the young Iowans on the stage today.

[Bill] Abrah, thank you for announcing our judges.

They're set and ready to go.

We've got ten acts in the senior division.

So let's get started with our first act.

From Pella, Iowa, Bella De Haan is going to join us.

Say hello to Bella De Haan, piano soloist, 17 years old.

As I mentioned from Pella, now being seated at the piano, Bella De Haan has selected a piece by Christian Sinding and it is entitled "Rustle of Spring."

Bella.

(Piano music playing) [Bill] Magnificent start to our senior program.

Bella De Haan from Pella.

And that piece was by Christian Sinding and it's entitled "Rustle of Spring."

Bella De Haan starting us off in the senior division.

Abrah, We have so many people to thank for getting this show together every year.

First and foremost, I want to thank Tonya Cook.

She is director of special events for the Iowa State Fair and her two assistants, Haley Burton and Karlie Cox, for making sure everything was all scheduled.

Over 60 shows across the state this past summer, and Haley took care of all of the scheduling.

So thanks to everybody in Tonya Cook's office for making this one of the best Bill Riley Talent Search shows to date.

So thank you so much.

So Abrah, who do we have next?

[Abrah] Yes, we are welcomed now by Ava Kloppe, 17 year old from Cumming, Iowa.

Ava is getting into position on stage as we introduce a contemporary dance solo.

Ava will be dancing to an instrumental song entitled "Poetic Justice."

This is Ava Kloppe.

(Instrumental music playing) [Abrah] Such a captivating dance soloist Ava Kloppe.

Well done.

From Cumming, Iowa, 17 years old with her dance "Poetic Justice."

[Bill] Abrah, that's the third time we've been able to enjoy that performance, and I would watch that a dozen times.

She is so fluid, so technical.

I mean, she makes it look easy.

We know it's not, but wow, what a performer we have there.

Ava Kloppe.

Third in our senior division.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the stage.

Sage Minnihan.

Sage is from Onawa, Iowa.

Lovely young lady joining us.

This is a musical theater vocal solo.

Sage is a 20 year old and this is from the musical Suffs.

And it's entitled "Finish the Fight."

I don't wanna have to compromise I don't wanna have to beg for crumbs From a country that doesn't care what I say I don't wanna follow in no footsteps I don't wanna be a meek little pawn In games they play I wanna march in the street I wanna hold up a sign With millions of women with passion like mine I wanna shout it out loud In the wide open light 'Til my generation has made things right Yes, I wanna know how it feels When we finally finish the fight Should I try to take the lead alone?

But it's probably impossible Will my ideas just dwindle and die?

Try to remember what your mother taught you When you dip your pen in ink you can't quit 'Til it runs dry You've gotta kick down the doors Of the mightiest men 'Til they never dare to deny us again You've gotta disrupt their days Make a fire ignite No, our generation won't play polite Just picture the look in their eyes When we finally finish the fight Go say goodbye to the world My mother and grandmothers knew Will I truly be able to change it?

Well, if not me, then who?

So I'll make my own team And I'll raise up my hand 'Til we're rewriting the law of the land And we'll unfurl our flag Purple, gold, and white Centuries of silence will end at night There's this incessant unrest Crumbling deep in my chest And I'll never be free, or complete, not unless I am there on the day When we finally finish the fight I'll be there on the day When we finally finish the fight [Bill] Sage Minnihan from Onawa, Iowa.

Exceptional vocal soloist.

That is from the musical "Suffs" and "Finish the Fight."

Top notch performance from Sage Minnihan, 20 year old musical theater vocal soloist.

And what a performance!

My goodness.

So exciting.

[Abrah] Yes.

And Bill, I just I could see the emotion on her face as she was walking back.

I think based on her age, this could be her final time performing on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage in this competition.

And she just nailed it.

[Bill] I never thought about that.

But she poured her emotion into that piece.

So yeah, it's that's so much fun to watch.

Abrah and I have been out here for the first ten days and we've been able to experience a lot of these acts as they came through the prelims and the semifinals.

So just a treat to see them all performing here in the sprouts champions.

And of course, this is the seniors in the finals here.

So next up, Abrah.

[Abrah] We are pleased to join us on stage.

This is Sebastian Gearhart of Urbandale, Iowa.

We'll let Sebastian get set at the piano.

He is 16 years old, a piano soloist performing "The Lark" by Glinka.

This is Sebastian Gearhart.

(Piano music playing) A tremendous display of talent, and you can tell he nailed that by the smile on his face.

Sebastian Gearhart, 16 years old from Urbandale, Iowa, with a perfect performance of "The Lark" by Glinka.

Wow.

[Bill] I keep double checking the age.

He's 16, Abrah.

What a talent and what a bright future that young man has before him.

So Sebastian Gearhart just 16 years old from Urbandale, Iowa.

I briefly want to thank our FFA volunteers.

They were here all through the state fair and we had seven of the very best FFA members with us.

So thanks to each and every one of them working tirelessly out here.

They get down here early in the morning and they have to close the stage down sometimes 10:00, 11:00 at night.

So I can't thank them enough.

They're working hard right now during the championship show.

So thanks to my FFA crew, give them a round of applause, please.

Okay, we're heading to Morning Sun, Iowa now for a tap dancer that is just so much fun to watch.

Kaelyn Townsley has joined us.

She's an 18 year old tapper.

As I mentioned from Morning Sun.

Kaelyn now getting into position.

She is going to tap to "Hey Pachuco."

Hey, Pachuco Hey Summer of '43 The man's gunnin' for me Blue and white mean war tonight Say damn my pride And all the other cats livin' down eastside Or maybe just my brim's too wide Ooh, Marie You better grab my jack and zip gun for me And I'll face no shame 'Cause tonight's the night I.. Well, I'd like to be swingin' Dancin' and swingin' Just havin' a time Free to do whatever Now more than ever I've gotta stick with that gang of mine Hey Hey Hey Hey, Pachuco.

[Bill] Now, how about that?

Ladies and gentlemen, th.. Kaelyn Townsley from Morning Sun, Iowa.

Tap dance soloist, 18 years old.

Tapping to "Hey, Pachuco."

What a performance.

Abrah.

Earlier, when we were in the prelim or in the semifinals, one of the judges commented on Kaelyn's performance as pure tap, and I was taken by that comment because obviously very talented, beautiful young lady.

The costuming perfect.

But that comment means there's no frills in there.

It's pure tap.

And that's one of the best tappers in the state right there.

[Abrah] I was going to say, she makes me want to go buy a pair of tap shoes.

So she's definitely a talented girl.

A great performance from Kaelyn Townsley.

We now have before us.

Annie Hopkins of Unionville, Iowa, representing Southern Iowa.

Annie is 16 years old and we are about to be entertained by her vocal and guitar solo by Fleetwood Mac.

She is performing "Landslide."

This is Annie Hopkins.

I took my love, took it down I climbed a mountain and I turned around And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills 'Til the landslide brought me down Oh, mirror in the sky What is love?

Can the child within my heart rise above?

Can I sail through the changin' ocean tides?

Can I handle the seasons of my life?

Well, I've been afraid of changin' 'Cause I've built my life around you But time makes you bolder Even children get older And I'm getting older too Well, I've been afraid of changin' 'Cause I've built my life around you But time makes you bolder Even children get older And I'm getting older too Oh, I'm getting older too And if you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills Well, the landslide will brought me down And if you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills Well, the landslide brought it down The landslide will bring you down Thank you.

[Abrah] Annie Hopkins making her .. Iowa, very proud with that soulful rendition of "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac.

A vocal and guitar soloist at 16 years old.

A bright future ahead indeed for Annie Hopkins.

[Bill] You know, if Kaelyn Townsley has you thinking about tap shoes, Annie Hopkins has got me thinking about some new cowboy boots.

Did you see the boots?

[Abrah] Yeah.

[Bill] Oh my goodness.

And we want to say, "Hi," to Annie's grandmother.

She came up from Unionville this morning to see that wonderful performance.

So hello, grandmother.

Thank you so much for joining us.

And I know she's very proud of Annie Hopkins.

All right.

We are getting set for our next performer.

We've got, it Looks like, four more acts in competition in the senior division.

And thank you so much for joining us.

The crowd out here at the state fair is just wonderful.

The applause sounds just beautiful to these performers.

So keep that applause coming in.

Next up from Des Moines, Iowa, Camden Lewis is with us.

Very talented young man, classical flute soloist.

He's 18 years old.

This is a piece by Jules Demersseman, and it is entitled "Solo De Concert No.

6."

(Instrumental music playing) [Bill] Performing "Solo De Concert No.

6" by Demers.. Camden Lewis.

Classic flute soloist from Des Moines, 18 years old.

What a performance.

Camden Lewis amazing performer.

[Abrah] I just think about the all of the breath work and control that goes into playing an instrument like that.

And you talk a lot about the variables out here on the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

And, you know, he has to deal with the wind and all of that as well.

And he just nailed that performance.

[Bill] Yeah, he's a tremendous performer.

Camden Lewis 18 years old.

And what a floutist.

So it's floutist if you're snotty.

[Abrah] Okay.

[Bill] You can say flutist, but I'm saying flout.. Camden Lewis great performance.

[Abrah] Coming up next.

We have Gwen Franczyk joining us now.

Gwen is from Urbandale, Iowa, and we will give her some time to get set at the piano.

Gwen is 16 years old, a piano soloist.

She is performing "Sonata" by Florence Beatrice Price.

At 16, this is Gwen Franczyk.

(Instrumental music playing) [Abrah] Take a bow.

Gwen Franczyk outstanding job on the piano.

[Bill] Just superb.

[Abrah] Amazing.

Urbandale, Iowa, is her hometown.

Gwen is 16 years old with her piece "Sonata" by Florence Beatrice Price.

Well done Gwen.

[Bill] Three different three soloists, different styles.

What a show we've put together.

These seniors finalists are just doing such a tremendous job for us.

Gwen Franczyk from Urbandale, Iowa.

Two more acts, ladies and gentlemen, in our senior division.

Then we're going to excuse the judges to work on that very, very difficult decision.

So we're going to get our next act in is in position.

Caleb Meiners has joined us, now taking position.

This is a contemporary dance solo.

Caleb is from Ottumwa, Iowa, 20 years old.

He has selected "This Bitter Earth."

This bitter earth Well, what the fruit it bears This bitter earth Oh, this bitter earth Yes, can be so cold Today you are young To soon, You're old But while a voice within me cries.

I'm sure someone may answer my call And this bitter earth May not, oh, be so bitter after all What good am I?

What good am I?

Heaven only knows (Music) [Bill] Caleb Meiners 20 ye.. from Ottumwa, Iowa.

(Applause) Incredible talent, execution, athleticism, heartfelt, emotional performance.

(Applause) What a young man we have there.

20 year old Caleb Meiners.

[Abrah] You know, Bill.

It's been so specia.. of these seniors because they've grown up coming through the Bill Riley Talent Search and multiple of them in the senior division today.

But Caleb being one of them, we've gotten to watch grow and perform on the stage over the past couple years, at least for me, the past few years being a part of this.

[Bill] He's just an incredible young man and we are so fortunate to have him back.

As you said, going through the Sprouts years back and now finals in the Senior division.

Well, we got one more act, my dear, and we're going to light it up.

[Abrah] That's right.

One .. finish off a studied a star studded senior finalist lineup.

Here is Reece O'Leary.

Re.. is 17 years old, an instrumental soloist, and he is going to be performing a rock anthem medley.

This is Reece O’Leary.

(Instrumental music playing) [Abrah] O'Leary giving us a finale and the crowd loves it.

From Grimes, Iowa, 17 years old, Bill.

[Bill] We were laying the show out after the last act yesterday and we all agreed we're going to close out the show with Reece because he is such a strong performer.

He is an amazing guitarist.

I was talking to his parents, he started playing guitar at the age of six.

[Abrah] Wow.

[Bill] And some friend.. his church during worship with his guitar work.

So I don't think he's playing that stuff in church.

[Abrah] But shows the range of talent he has.

[Bill] That'd be a heck of a church.

I'd better not go that direction.

Hey, we're going to step away for just a little bit here for some very important information.

But when we come back, we have eight Sprouts champions ready to come out and thrill all of us.

So more coming up on Iowa PBS.

(Music) Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen, to the se.. of our big show, the championships for 2026, the Bill Riley Talent Program, and for our friends watching at home, we thought we'd give you a nice shot of the awards here.

We've got the big trophy and the plaques and the ribbons that are all in place.

And the anticipation is exciting.

We're so excited to kick off the Sprouts now.

These are all champions.

So years ago, dad made the decision.

No more competition for the Sprouts.

So they were all crowned champions as they came through the semifinals.

And I mentioned this when we were during the break to the crowd here at the state fair.

Typically we take six Sprouts champions, but a reflection of the level of talent that we had at the fair this year.

We have eight Sprouts champs ready to roll.

So Abrah, let's kick it off.

[Abrah] We are excited to welcome to the Anne and Bill Riley Stage Faith Eugenia Scott lovely young lady.

Faith is from Johnston, Iowa, a ten year old and she is getting set in position with her microphone.

She will be performing a violin solo and being accompanied by her mom on the piano.

Faith is playing a piece entitled "Perpetual Motion," and we are going to let her take the stage.

This is Faith Eugenia Scott.

(Instrumental music playing) [Abrah] A tremendous way to start off our Sprouts champions.

Faith Eugenia Scott of Johnston Iowa.

[Bill] Yeah, and if you're just tuning in on Iowa PBS.

Yes, this is the Sprout Champions.

That's not one of the finalists in the seniors.

[Abrah] Yes.

Impressive.

Ten years old.

[Bill] Ten years old.

What a violinist.

And again, her mother, accompanist is such a great, great honor to have them here with us.

We want to thank all the parents and educators, mentors and coaches out there that help these young'uns set attainable goals and reach those goals and get to the point that we're enjoying right here at the Anne and Bill Riley Stage.

So thanks to all the parents and educators that came together to get these little ones.

Well, they're not so little, but everybody's younger than I am at this point.

That's the point.

So thanks to so many people for making it possible.

Hey, next up, we've got a jazz dance duet from Bloomfield and Centerville, Iowa.

Dylan Finch and Dixon Lynch.

Now taking position.

Dylan Finch is nine years old from Centerville.

Dixon Lynch from Bloomfield, Iowa, ten years old.

They're set and ready to go.

They're going to perform to "Girls, Girls."

("For the Girls" by Kali J & LiTTiE playing) (Music) (Applause) [Bill] Two good friends making some memories out here at the Anne and Bill Riley Stage.

Dylan Finch and Dixon Lynch.

Dixon's from Bloomfield.

Dylan from Centerville, Iowa.

What a performance.

And you know Abrah, you're supposed to see the acts front on, especially dance acts.

But you and I, we've got a whole different viewpoint.

And those two are having so much fun out here.

When they turn to us, they were both smiling.

[Abrah] That's right.

[Bill] And I mean, they're.. having fun out here.

It wasn't just a smile.

They looked right at us and smiling.

[Abrah] That's right.

And that's why I'm smiling.

This is a lot of fun.

[Bill] Exactly, exactly.

[Abrah] And a lot of cuteness here on the stage with the Sprouts champions.

Let's welcome now Eloise Pohlmann.

I like to say she's adorable.

All wrapped up in one package.

Eloise is from Truro, Iowa, an eight year old vocal soloist, and we'll let her get into position here on stage as she performs from the musical "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown."

The piece, entitled "My New Philosophy."

That's a good philosophy Why are you telling me?

Why are you telling me?

Why are you telling me?

My new philosophy?

That teacher gave a D on last week's homework She said, "Miss Sally Brown, Your grades are going down" I could have told her My new philosophy Miss B?

I'm she Look see A "D"?

A "D"?

Well, why are you telling me?

And that's my new philosophy Why are you telling me?

My new philosophy!

Schroeder says he has to go practice But I say, "No."

I like it!

No!

That's a good philosophy No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no Yes!

I mean "No!"

It's like a busy bee My new philosophy Can fly from tree to tree And keep me moving Life's a dizzy maze On alternating days I choose a different phrase My new philosophy Some philosophies are simple Man does not live on bread alone Some philosophies are clear .. sound of the tone Some philosophies pick and choose Deciding what goes in it Some take a lifetime Mine take a minute But Schroeder says anything that only takes a minute Can't be very lasting For instance, Beethoven took over two years to write his brilliant Ninth Symphony I can't stand it I just can't stand it I like it It's like a guarantee My new philosophy And things are sure to be a while lot brighter Why are you telling me?

No!

I can't stand it!

Now life is free and easy Much more philosophy With my brand new My new philosophy [Abrah] Oh my goodness.

Eloise Pohlmann.

She's br.. house down with her new philosophy.

[Bill] Oh.

Charlie Brown is taking over the Riley Stage.

[Abrah] Oh what a gift she is.

Eloise Pohlmann from Truro, Iowa eight years old, a vocal soloist.

[Bill] Just said she's only eight.

Goodness.

[Abrah] She's got an excited music teacher, I'm sure, that's looking forward to having her someday.

[Bill] And, you know, getting into character you don't know.

There's no problem getting that young one into the character.

[Abrah] That's right.

[Bill] Woo!

Eloise Pohlmann from Truro, Iowa.

Great fun.

All right, we're going to say hello to our next Sprouts champion from Des Moines, Iowa.

Say hello to Lucy Smid.

Hello, Lucy.

Beautiful young lady, 11 years old now taking position.

Lucy is a jazz dance soloist and as I mentioned from the Des Moines area, and she has selected "Accentuate the Positive."

You got to ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive And e-lim-i-nate the negative And latch on to the affirmative But don't mess with Mr.

In-between, ah You got to spread joy up to the maximum And bring gloom down to the minimum And have faith, or pandemonium Liable to walk upon the scene To illustrate my last remark Jonah in the whale, Noah in the ark What did they do, just when everything looked so dark?

Man, they said We've got to accentuate the positive And eliminate the negative And hang on to the affirmative But don't mess with Mr.

In-between To illustrate my last remark Jonah in the whale, .. the ark What did they do, just w.. so dark?

Man, they said We've got to accentuate the positive And eliminate the negative And hang on to the affirmative But don't mess, don't mess with Mr.

In-between No, no, no, don't mess Oh, baby, I said don't mess You better not Don't mess with Mr.

In-between, yeah [Bill] Lucy Smid from Des Moines, Iowa.

Our jazz dance soloist, an 11 year old.

Amazing talent for an 11 year old jazz dance soloist.

Lucy Smid and "Accentuate The Positive."

Great job, Lucy.

What a champ we have there.

And 11 years old.

So, Lucy, thank you so much.

[Abrah] Well, we're going to switch things up a little bit, Bill.

Let's welcome Micah .. old, representing Northeast Iowa from Cedar Falls.

And we've got a stand up comedian on our hands.

Ladies and gentlemen, let's welcome him with his set, "The Youngest Isn't Special."

This is Micah Rusch.

[Micah] All right.

You guys were clapping already, and I haven't even done anything yet.

Now there's pressure.

So I'm the youngest in the family.

Any other babies of the family here today?

Yeah.

Everybody thinks that means we get special treatment.

But you guys, it's not that great.

I'm the youngest of four boys.

If I'm last in line for food, I get nothing.

I mean, look at me.

I'm practically invisible.

(Laughter) And my wardrobe is entirely hand-me-downs.

For six years of my life, I didn't know jeans were supposed to have fabric across both of the knees.

(Laughter) But by far the worst part about being the fourth.. that all of my teachers have had one of my brothers before me, and whatever they did to that teacher, it haunts me.

Like my fifth grade teacher, she put check marks behind her name.

If you were misbehaving, and on the first day she read off my name Micah Rusch.

Do you have some older brothers?

I nodded and smiled, but this woman walked over to the board and put a check mark behind my name.

She said, "I know it's coming.

I'm just working ahead."

And that teacher, she gave out check marks outside of the classroom too.

One time at a school assembly, I was making "questionable choices" and she looked at me and she went, Micah Rusch.

(Laughter) An air check mark.

How is that even legal?

So I gave her one of those.

(Laughter) I may be small, but my shenanigans are huge.

.. being the smallest isn't all bad though.

I aged out of the kids meals at that Hu-Hot buffet like three years ago, but they do not know that.

They just eyeball me and go, "He looks about eight ish."

I love buffets.

For kids, a buffet is a dream come true.

It's a one time a kid can get a whole plate of whatever they want, and their mom can't make them put it back.

One time I got nothing but a heaping pile of those tiny ears of corn.

I love those things.

It's a little difficult to get the corn skewers on them, though.

I had a huge pile of food the last time was at Hu-Hot, and our waitress came over and went, "Oh, there's no way a little guy like you can eat all that food."

I decided to make a "harmless joke" and say, "Well, when I'm at home, all my brothers steal all the food.

This is the only time I get to eat."

And that's when my fifth grade teacher was in the booth next to us, pops up and goes, Micah Rusch!

Thanks, everyone.

My name is Micah.

That's my time.

[Abrah] Oh.

Put it together for Micah Rusch.

A bright future ahead as a stand up comedian.

"The Youngest Isn't Special," was the set.

Micah is 12 years old of Cedar Falls and they have got to be proud of him with the comedy he brings to the Anne and Bill Riley Stage.

Great job Micah.

[Bill] So much fun, great performance.

A.. can be a lonely spot out there as a comedian.

And this was a really, really good stand up set by Mr.

Micah Rusch.

Three more champs lining up here.

And then we're going to go to a quick break.

But this is Brinley Koster and Charlee Stitz.

Give them a round of applause as they're getting in position.

Brinley Koster, 12 years old from Breda, Charlee Stitz, 12 years old from Carroll, Iowa.

They're in position.

They're ready to go.

This is a jazz dance routine to "Stronger."

Hush, just stop There's nothing you can do or say I've had enough I'm not your property as from today You might think that I won't make it On my own But now I'm stronger than yesterday Now it's nothing but my way My loneliness ain't killing me no more I, I'm stronger Here I go, on my own I don't need nobody, better off alone Here I go, on my own now I don't need nobody, not anybody Here I go 'Cause now I'm stronger than yesterday Now it's nothing but my way My loneliness ain't killing me no more I, I'm stronger Stronger than yesterday It's nothing but my way My loneliness ain't killing me no more I, I'm stronger (Applause) [Bill] What a performance.Performing.. Charlee Stitz from Breda and Carroll, Iowa.

Acro jazz dance duet.

What a performance we have there.

Wow.

[Abrah] Well, and how fun to get to do it with your best friend.

I would imagine the amount of hours they've poured in to that dance routine.

They've gotten pretty close.

[Bill] And the memories they just made right there in a little short three minute performance, they'll have that the rest of their lives to hold on to.

So we are getting down to the end of our championship show here.

And again, these are the Sprouts champions.

No more competition for these young ones.

They're out here just enjoying their hard work.

They got through the prelims, then the semifinals, and here we are with our next performer, Abrah.

[Abrah] Yes, this is Arnav Dervesh from Ankeny, Iowa.

And Arnav is going to take his spot at the piano as we get ready to introduce his solo.

Arnav is 12 years old from Ankeny, like I said, and he will be playing a piece by Frederic Chopin "Nocturne in D-Flat Major," Opus 27.

No.

2.

Here is Arnav Dervesh.

(Music) [Abrah] A talented young man, Arnav Dervesh, 12 years old, from Ankeny, Iowa.

With that grand piano solo "Nocturne in D-Flat Major," Opus 27.

No.

2 by Frederic Chopin.

Incredible.

[Bill] The smile on his face when he completed that performance.

He's very pleased with that performance.

[Abrah] And that is why he's the sprout champion.

[Bill] Yes, with good reason.

Very accomplished pianist.

Hey, before we announce our final sprout champion.

Champions, I should say.

I want to thank all of my coordinators across the state this year.

We had close to 60 shows, and those coordinators make it possible to get the venue available for these young Iowans to do what they like to do, to spread their wings and shoot for the stars.

So I also want to mention, if you don't have a show in your neck of the woods, consider having a Bill Riley Talent Whow.

We would love to have you join the Bill Riley Talent Search family.

You can get in touch with Tonya Cook and her staff through the Iowa State Fair.

You can email me.

You can talk to me on the cell phone.

I talked to a fair board member of one of the county fairs, and I told her, "Look, if you need me to come up to the county fair and speak to the fair board, more than happy to do that, whatever it takes to get that across the finish line, because we need a few more shows in the lineup."

So consider having a Bill Riley Talent Whow in your neck of the woods.

Hey, we saved some energy for the end of t.. show.

This is Brody, Renzo and Rio.

Give him a round of applause as they're getting into position.

Brody Taylor, Renzo Slaughter and Rio Slaughter, they're all 11 years old.

They're all from Clive, Iowa.

They're set and ready to go.

And they are going to go to "Sir Duke."

(Music) Music is a world within itself With a language we all understand With an equal opportunity For all to sing, dance, and clap their hands But just because a record has a groove Don't make it in the groove But you can tell right away at letter A When the people start to move They can feel it all over They can feel it all over people They can feel it all over They can feel it all over people, go Music knows it is and always will Be one of the things that life just won't quit But here are some of music's pioneers That time will not allow us to forget, no For there's Basie, Miller, Satchmo And the king of all, Sir Duke And with a voice like Ella's .. There's no way the band can lose You can feel it all over You can feel it all over people You can feel it all over You can feel it all over people (Music) [Bill] That's our dance trio from Clive Iowa, Brody, Renzo and Rio.

Oh, what a performance.

Brody Taylor, Renzo Slaughter and Rio Slaughter.

Again, all 11 year olds having a great time out here at the Bill Riley Talent Show.

Hey, we're going to take a short break.

And when we come back, we're going to introduce you to some very important people.

Of course, the awards, as we continue our coverage of Fair 2026, the Bill Riley Talent Championships, all coming up on Iowa PBS.

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[Bill] Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen, to the 67th edition of the Bill Riley Talent Search and the Championships.

Well, Abrah, we have the results from the judges.

And the time has come for our awards.

Before we get to that critical time, though, you've got eight Sprouts champions to announce.

And just to say hello and acknowledge their hard work.

[Abrah] Yes, we were pleased with their performances throughout this year's fair.

Let's say hello once more to Faith Eugenia Scott, Dylan Finch and Dixon Lynch, Eloise Pohlmann, Lucy Smid, Micah Rusch, Brinley Koster and Charlee Stitz, Arnav Dervesh, Brody Taylor, Renzo Slaughter and Rio Slaughter.

Congratulations to all of our Sprouts champions and what a show they put on for us today, Bill.

[Bill] What a show!

And we have s.. people to thank and introduce at this point.

Please put your hands together and welcome to the stage CEO and General Manager of the Iowa State Fair, Jeremy Parsons.

[Jeremy] Thank you, Bill.

You know, the Iowa State Fair is a celebration of the very best of our state.

And sometimes you see that and maybe the livestock show ring, or maybe in the agriculture building, but you always see it here at the Anne and Bill Riley Stage.

And so to these champions, congratulations.

The future of our state is in a really great place because of young people like you.

And you're also in a really great place because we'll probably be announcing a number tomorrow, but you're going to be part of an overall Iowa State Fair record.

We'll just leave it at that.

Thanks for being at the Iowa State Fair.

And leading the charge to really lead the vision to make the Iowa State Fair what it is, is the Iowa State Fair Board, and the president of the board this year is Curtis Claeys.

And Curtis is going to come forward and say a few words.

Curtis.

[Curtis] Thank you, Jeremy.

We are having a great fair and a lot of credit goes to our staff and management, but also the fact that we have a very strong county fair system here in Iowa.

And I think that reflects in Bill's shows every year.

The strong showings that all these county fairs make a big difference in the talent that comes here.

So thank you to all the county fairs that do the program, and congratulations to all the winners.

Thank you very much.

[Bill] Thank you Curtis.

Thank you, Jeremy.

We also want to say hello to our 2026 State Fair Queen, for joining us on stage.

Belle Werner from Tama County, just the second queen from Tama County.

So Belle, thank you so much for joining us.

She's a very, very busy young lady.

So we're honored to have the queen of the fair with us right here for the championships.

Well, Abrah, the time has come.

You've got the results.

And I'm not quite sure if I'm ready for it because we've had such a great time showcasing all of these wildly talented Iowans.

But it's come down to this moment.

[Abrah] Yes it is.

It is bittersweet that it's coming to an end, but the judges have made their decision.

[Bill] They have.

[Abrah] Bill, If you want to start us o.. [Bill] In 5th place, Gwen Franczyk.

Piano soloist from Urbandale.

Gwen Franczyk.

[Abrah] In 4th place, Reece O'Leary.

Reece is a 17 year old from Grimes, Iowa.

He brought the house down with his finale in the Senior Division with his rock anthem medley.

Way to go, Reece!

In 3rd place, Camden Lewis from Des Moines.

Classic flutist from Des Moines.

What a performance.

Camden Lewis.

In 2nd place, Sage Minnihan, the 20 year old from Onawa, Iowa.

A beautiful job done with her musical theater vocal solo to "Finish the Fight."

Sage Minnihan.

Congratulations.

[Bill] One of the finest vocalists we've had here in some time.

All right, so now the time for 1st place and the Grand Champion, the 67th Grand Champion of the Bill Riley Talent Search.

And that belongs to Caleb Meiners, our contemporary soloist from Ottumwa, Iowa, winning $10,000 from the Iowa State Fair.

Caleb Meiners, your 2026 Bill Riley Grand Champion.

From all of us at Iowa PBS, Abrah Wright, I'm Bill Riley.

I know you had fun at the fair.

We'll see you next year.

So long.

I'm sure someone may answer my call And this bitter earth May not, oh be so bitter after all What good am I?

What good am I?

Heaven only knows