A packed house at the Bijou Theatre celebrated East Tennessee performers ages 60 and older while supporting local scholarships and caregiver education
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A packed house filled the historic Bijou Theatre Tuesday night as 12 East Tennessee performers ages 60 and older took the stage for the annual Morning Pointe Seniors Got Talent Knoxville competition. The evening raised more than $42,000 to support scholarships for future senior care professionals and free caregiver education programs through the Morning Pointe Foundation.
Taking first place and the People’s Choice Award was Lillie Madison, 84, a singer who has shared her voice with residents at Morning Pointe communities throughout Knoxville. Madison said singing has been a lifelong passion, beginning in church before she branched out into pop music.
“I love being on the stage because that’s my love. I love to sing. I always use a terminology, I love to holler, but yes, I love to sing,” Madison said. “When people ask me to sing, if I’m available, you want me to sing somewhere, I’ll be there.”
Robb Zeiser, 61, a comedic juggler, took second place, while Susie Orengo, 63, a singer, earned third place.
“The award is just a bonus. The contestants tonight were so incredibly talented, and to be in this award compared to everybody that was here tonight is a really true blessing,” Zeiser said. “It’s not about how many years you have in your life, it’s about the life in your years. I still have dreams, I still have goals, and I’m still looking forward.”
Orengo said the evening was a reminder of the contributions older adults continue to make in their communities.
“The bigger picture is our seniors and how important they are to our community, all that they can contribute, all of their talents, and that their lives are not over,” she said. “There is still more joy, more things to be done, more fun to be had, more good times.”
The event also featured the Morning Pointe Foundation Resident Art Show. Elizabeth Morris, 84, of Morning Pointe of Knoxville, received both the overall winner and People’s Choice awards for her acrylic painting, “An Old Barn.”
Morris had been encouraged for years by her friend Mimi to participate in Seniors Got Talent, but had turned down the opportunity several times. After finally agreeing to take part, Morris learned that Mimi had passed away just days before the event.
“Mimi, we did it together,” Morris said.
Proceeds from Seniors Got Talent support the Morning Pointe Foundation’s scholarships for students pursuing careers in nursing, therapy, social work and culinary arts, as well as free educational resources for family caregivers. East Tennessee educational partners supported through the Foundation include Tennessee College of Applied Technology – Athens, Tennessee College of Applied Technology – Jacksboro, Pellissippi State Community College, Roane State Community College, Tennessee Wesleyan University, and Walters State Community College.
“Every year, Seniors Got Talent gives us the opportunity to celebrate the incredible talents and passions of older adults while bringing our communities together for a purpose that reaches far beyond the stage. Raising more than $42,000 in Knoxville is a tremendous reflection of this community’s generosity,” said Miranda Perez, executive director of the Morning Pointe Foundation. “These funds will help students pursue careers in senior care and healthcare while supporting educational opportunities for family caregivers. We’re grateful to everyone who performed, attended and supported the evening.”
The evening was emceed by Kim Hansard, who returned for her second year in the role. She said the performers brought an impressive range of talent to the stage and praised the audience for enthusiastically supporting the contestants and the Foundation.
“The talent this year was just even better than last year. I don’t know where we find talent, and we are so blessed to have it,” Hansard said. “I’m just so honored to be a part of it in some small way.”
The Morning Pointe Foundation thanks the sponsors who helped make the Knoxville event possible:
- Spotlight Sponsor: ETPS A Guardian Pharmacy
- Backstage Sponsor: Propel Insurance
- VIP Hours Sponsors: Shalom Hospice and Palliative Care, MJ Mental Health and Community Wellness Partners PLLC
About Morning Pointe Senior Living
Morning Pointe Senior Living, headquartered in Ooltewah, Tennessee, was founded in 1997 by healthcare entrepreneurs Greg A. Vital and J. Franklin Farrow, Morning Pointe Senior Living operates assisted living and Alzheimer’s memory care communities in four southeastern states, including GA, IN, KY & TN. For more information, visit morningpointe.com.
The philanthropic arm of Morning Pointe Senior Living is the Morning Pointe Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to provide clinical scholarships and caregiver support.
