Nostalgia took home the prize, but the band’s win was one of many reasons to celebrate at Thrive Clermont’s inaugural Teens Got Talent Showcase.

The Oct. 22 event at the Clermont Performing Arts Center put local teens in the spotlight through music, dance, showmanship and visual art while raising money for Thrive’s programs in the coming year.

A collaborative effort between Thrive, the City of Clermont, Landi-Lou Talent Agency, South Lake TV and other event sponsors, the evening gave families and community members an opportunity to see what young people can accomplish with encouragement and support.

Nostalgia, whose members met through South Lake High School’s band program, earned the People’s Choice Award and $250 grand prize sponsored by the Harper Family Charitable Foundation.

For lead vocalist Alexia Paniagua, the win was an opportunity to celebrate the people beside her.

“I’m so glad that we all made it here tonight and were able to come together,” Alexia says. “I’m very proud of the work we all put it to make this happen.”

The group includes Alexia, pianist Edward Nichar, bassist Jackson Brisco and drummer Alenairam Franceschi-Lugo. Its members include current South Lake students and graduates whose shared musical experiences brought them together.

“We all met in band,” Alexia says.

That opportunity to create, collaborate and share their work with an audience was central to the evening’s purpose.

Thrive founder and Executive Director Sheri Lewin started the organization after struggling to find opportunities that would challenge her own two teens, connect them with positive adult mentors and introduce them to other ambitious young people.

What began as a mother looking for solutions for her children developed into an organization serving teens throughout the community.

The showcase followed a similar process. Sheri says conversations about an open mic night for teens expanded into a Main Stage production and student art exhibit.

“How this came about is very similar to how we do all of our programs: We have an idea, we start talking about the idea, we start taking small steps towards the idea and the idea opens for us,” Sheri says about Thrive’s programming for the last 10 years. “I just want to thank the City of Clermont and Landi-Lou Talent tonight for having the vision to help start this tradition, which I hope will go for many years.”

The lineup featured aerial artist Carissa Brown; dancers Kinsey McCartney, Cori Horton and Brooke Lynn Gibson; vocal performers Isabella Lugo and Sophia Hamblen; and Nostalgia.

An accompanying art exhibit featured work from Lake Minneola, South Lake and East Ridge high schools, Hope Preparatory Academy and Montverde Academy, giving visitors another way to appreciate the area’s young talent.

Awards were given to artists scored by jurors Kathy Henderson, Banks Helfrich and Clermont Mayor Tim Murry,

Emcee Jonathan McFadden, an actor, producer and educator representing Landi-Lou Talent Agency, also helped coach the performers. Throughout the evening, he encouraged enthusiastic applause and reminded families how much their support matters to young artists.

“When we invest in our young people, we are not somebody investing in today. We are investing in the future of our community,” Jonathan says. “We call ourselves the choice of champions, and champions are not made alone.”

“They are shaped by encouragement, opportunity, discipline, mentorship, and by people who are willing to believe in them before they fully believe in themselves.”

A handful of current and former Teen Advisory Council members also took the microphone to share what Thrive has meant to them. Their personal reflections connected the evening’s fundraising to the young people who benefit from the nonprofit’s educational, recreational and leadership programs.

Teens helped make the event happen, too. Members of Thrive’s fall advisory council assisted with outreach, graphics, the silent auction and cameras recording the show, gaining practical experience while creating opportunities for their peers.

Mayor Murry recognized Thrive’s decade of service and the city’s ongoing partnership with the organization. He emphasized the value of helping teenagers discover interests, gain confidence, find mentors and recognize what they can contribute.

To the young people in attendance, he offered a direct message.

“Your voice matters, and your future matters. Never underestimate what you are capable of becoming,” he says. “To our residents, businesses, civic organization, and community leaders, I encourage you to continue supporting programs that strengthen the next generation.”

Murry also congratulated Thrive for 10 years of changing lives.

“This Teen’s Got Talent showcase is a wonderful example of what can happen when we create an opportunity for our young people to discover their gifts, share their talents and believe in themselves,” he says. “I am proud to be here tonight, and I am proud of what thrive has done and will continue to do for our community.”

More information about Thrive Clermont and ways to support its programs is available at thriveclermont.org.