Local talent show winner competes in Apple Blossom's Got Talent

HARPERS FERRY –Donnie Hawkins is using his talent to help spread awareness about bullying and cyberbullying.

Hawkins, the teen who won this year's Apollo Community Talent Show Extravaganza overall grand prize, is a finalist in Apple Blossom's Got Talent in Winchester. He attends Harpers Ferry Middle School.

Hawkins did an online video audition and sang the National Anthem. He was given a slot to compete against 50-plus other contestants of all ages in the first round. He made it to the semi-finals, which consisted of 20 contestants. Hawkins and nine others were picked for the finals Wednesday night.

He plans to sing a song in the finals about bullying called "Perfect," by Pink. It's a song that he said inspires him because he's struggled with being bullied. He sang it at the Apollo talent competition in February.

Hawkins has high-functioning Asperger's Syndrome, a type of autism spectrum disorder that affects social skills. He has struggled with being bullied for years, he said. Hawkins said music was a way to overcome his symptoms, and he uses his talent to deliver a powerful message against bullying. He wants bullied kids to know they aren't alone.

"I want to bring awareness to a problem faced by youth all over," said Hawkins, who has been bullied in school since kindergarten. Hawkins said he has also been cyberbullied, and that he knows other kids who are bullied. "The most important thing to me is to try to have fun and get my message out."

Hawkins started playing piano and singing at an early age.

"I like all types of music genres, but I especially like Hip Hop and R&B," Hawkins said. "I listen to Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber, and Pink because she sings songs because of her being a victim of bullying. She writes songs about being bullied. Bruno Mars was also bullied in school."

He writes lyrics and music, too, many of them Gospel. He's opened for Adam Crabb, a lead singer in the Gaither Vocal Band. He started playing piano in first grade and singing in church. By third grade, he was playing percussion instruments, such as drums, congo and bongo drums, and glockenspiel. His family is setting up a recording studio in their basement.

If he makes it to the last round of six finalists, he will sing a second song by Bruno Mars. The judge's scores count for 75 percent of the final score, and 25 percent is voting from the audience.

The judges have been positive and helpful to the contestants, giving them pointers.

"The judges really try to help us to improve," Hawkins said.

Hawkins' mother, Melissa, said she's grateful for the support her son has received.

"We have a really good group of supporters who are going to Apple Blossom," she said. "He's really excited and has been working hard. He's competing against some other really talented kids and adults. But I think he's got a pretty good shot. And he's made a lot of friends."

First prize at Apple Blossom's Got Talent is $5,000. Second prize is $1,500, and third prize is $500. All finalists get to ride in the Grand Feature Parade on Saturday.

The Car Credit Nation Apple Blossom's Got Talent is 7 p.m. Wednesday at Bright Box Theater, 15 North Loudoun Street, Winchester, Va. Tickets are $20-$40. Call (540) 662-3863 for more information.

Let's block ads! (Why?)