For some people, it takes a lot of courage to perform a song or showcase a talent in front of hundreds and hundreds of their peers.

That’s what a group of Foley High School students did on Tuesday at the FHS Talent Show. The performances ranged from Lady GaGa to Rascal Flatts to The Beatles, and the crowd cheered for each contestant.

“I’m just really impressed that they have the confidence to get up in front of people and perform,” Terry Burkle, South Baldwin Chamber Foundation vice president and scorekeeper at the talent show, said. “It’s also fun to see the hidden talent in our schools. We don’t get to hear it often.”

“I think the community would be amazed at the amount of talent at Foley High School,” Berkleigh Cirilli, a FHS teacher, said. “So many of our students have the potential to pursue outstanding careers in music and other avenues, and I’m very proud to play a small part in the talent show.”

There were 16 performances in total, separated into four divisions. The first division showcased was the “accompanied solo division,” which included acts where the students performed the music and singing. The next division was “unaccompanied vocal,” which included performances where the contestants sing along with recorded music. Then, the “small ensemble division” performances rocked the crowd, which included groups of two or more performing together. Finally, the “instrumental division” closed the show.

There were trophies for first, second and third place in each division. The judges scored the contestants based off confidence, tone, song choice, audience interaction, appearance and overall ability. There was also a “fan’s favorite” award which went to the contestant who received the best crowd response regardless of the judges’ score for his or her performance.

In the accompanied solo division, Hali Cherry came in third place with her performance of “The Only Exception” by Paramore; Kenzie Dumond came in second place with her performance of a medley of Beatles songs; and Christina Cecrle won first place with her performance of “Perfect” by Pink. Cecrle also won first overall for the entire competition, and Dumond came in second overall. They will compete in a countywide competition on April 30 at The Wharf, school band director Carl Major said.

In the unaccompanied vocal division, Kali Thompson came in third place with her performance of “I Won’t Let You Go” by Rascal Flatts; Tarius Sledge came in second place for the singing of an original composition; and Meagan McNair came in first place for her performance of “Hometown Boy” by Adele.

In the small ensemble division, Josh Whiting and Cecrle won third place for their performance of “My Immortal” by Evanessance; Tarius Sledge, Stephen Jones, JP and Tony Mason came in second place for the performance of an original composition titled “Sky High;” and Daniel McWatters and Hali Cherry won first place and the fan favorite award for the performance of “You Be The Anchor” by MayDay Parade.

In the instrumental division, Whiting came in second place for “Melodies You Can Recognize;” and Alysha Fletcher and Emily Brock won first place for the performance of original composition, “Serenity.”

All proceeds from the event will benefit the FHS band.