Spotlights and eyes follow as someone walks to center stage. The person they are fixated on? Brighton Grisby. He stands tall, takes a deep breath and begins to sing; the crowd falling silent at the sound of his voice. The audience’s silence is broken only by roaring cheers as the song ends.
The Talent Show, hosted by the Class of 2026, was a fundraiser that had students sign up to show the school their talents. After auditions, the chosen students performed Friday, Nov. 15 for the first time, the results left six students chosen as finalists. The finals were Friday, Nov. 22, where the last six students performed. Grisby won, and became the champion of the first Class of 2026 Talent Show.
“During my first performance I was very nervous but I was trying to focus and put myself in the right headspace,” Grisby said. “I was trying to have fun with it as well, and give a performance that people would say was entertaining.”
Grisby sang “Control” by Zoe Wees, a ballad written about the singer’s anxiety and lack of control due to her struggles with epilepsy. To Grisby the same lyrics hold a different meaning.
“At that point in time, when I chose the song, I hadn’t had a good week mental health wise and there were a lot of things going on in my life that I couldn’t control,” Grisby said.
However, Grisby could control his dreams and at only seven years old, Grisby knew what he wanted to do with his life: entertain a crowd and make people listen. Now, after practicing consistently and being in two choirs, he has progressed his craft significantly and feels the world is ready to hear him.
“A lot of the stuff we do in choir attributes to life,” Grisby said. “Some of the lessons, like learning to be consistent, and learning to try even when you feel you don’t have any more effort to give, are life lessons I learn being in that atmosphere.”
The lessons Grisby has learned through choir have pushed him to conquer new things and joining the talent show was at the top of his list.
“Taking risks sometimes can be really beneficial to your life,” Grisby said. “This was a big jump for me because it took a lot to get up there and put myself out there.”
After the contestants had performed, they all stood on stage waiting for the first, second and third place winners to be called. As the hosts announced third and second places, Grisby became uneasy. The final name called out was his.
“I was surprised at first. It wasn’t in my expectations at all, but it was a loving moment,” Grisby said. “When I got off the stage all of my friends surrounded me and told me congratulations, it was pretty cool to feel so much love.”
Now with the talent show win under his belt, Grisby plans on putting himself out there more. He feels more confident and prepared to take on new opportunities and pursue his dreams, of becoming a singer, with even more passion.
“I joined the talent show because I wanted the opportunity to share my gift with people,” Grisby said. “It was me coming back to falling in love with music and realizing that this really is something I want to do as a career.”
