Lafourche Musician & Young Dancer Win Farm Bureau Talent Contest

By Hillary Whittaker, Farm Bureau News Staff Writer

NEW ORLEANS – Lafourche musician J’Leigh Danae Chauvin strummed her way to top honors at the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation’s Talent Contest July 8 at the organization’s 89th annual meeting at the New Orleans Marriott.

The 16-year-old from Lafourche Parish performed a song by Patty Griffin entitled “Heavenly Day,” winning first place in the senior talent division.  J’Leigh is the daughter of Allen and Jessica Chauvin of Larose.

Ashleigh Victoria-Anne Keller, 17, charmed the audience by performing her national award-winning classical tap routine to “Big Time” by Linda Eder, winning second place in the senior division. She is the daughter of Debbie Keller of St. John Parish. 

Jade Antionette Coates, of St. Charles Parish, placed third in the senior division, singing “Zing Went the Strings of My Heart/The Trolley Song” in the style of Judy Garland. She is the 18-year-old daughter of Andrea and Kurt Coates of Destrehan.

Marley Michelle Blanchard, of St. Martin Parish won first place in the junior division, dazzling the crowd with her energetic dance routine to “My Boyfriend’s Back.” She is the 9-year-old daughter of Keisha Borel and Troy Blanchard.

Taylor Paige Harless, 13, won second place in the junior division, singing “I Told You So” by Carrie Underwood. She is the daughter of Ben and Brandie Maharrey of East Baton Rouge Parish.

Tanner Sinclair of Rapides Parish and Cheyanne Harmon, of Washington Parish, tied for third place in the junior division. Tanner, the 14-year-old son of Thomas and Tabitha Sinclair of Pineville, captivated the audience with his performance of “Nothing Without You” by Bebo Norman. Cheyanne, 12, is the daughter of Barrett and Karen Harmon of Franklinton. She performed the Miley Cyrus hit “He Could Be The One.”

Each winner received a trophy and cash prizes. 

The Talent Contest is one of the many youth events sponsored by the Louisiana Farm Bureau’s Women’s Leadership Committee.  The events are a way to involve young people in the organization’s annual meeting, which this year attracted more than 1,000 farmers and ranchers.