Nearly $43,000 Raised for the Morning Pointe Foundation
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (November 5, 2025) — The spotlight was shining bright at the historic Bijou Theatre as the 5th Annual Morning Pointe Foundation Seniors Got Talent – Knoxville lit up the stage with laughter, music, and moments that moved the audience to their feet. The show celebrated the creativity of East Tennessee’s senior performers while raising nearly $43,000 for the Morning Pointe Foundation’s caregiver scholarship fund — including more than $4,000 through the People’s Choice Award.
From soulful singers and lively a cappella harmonies to uplifting piano performances, the evening proved that talent and joy know no age limit.
This year’s winners included:
- 1st Place – Pianist Beverly Kerr performing “Ode to Joy (Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee)”
- 2nd Place – The Sapphires, a cappella quartet performing “Sweet Dreams” and “Heatwave”
- 3rd Place – Singer Joel Dupré performing “New York, New York” by Frank Sinatra
- People’s Choice – Musical Group Better with Every Breath performing “This Train is Bound for Glory” by Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Beverly Kerr, who took home first place, said the experience left her both humbled and grateful. “I’m amazed, and I just cannot believe this. I felt very honored in front of so many talented senior people and just felt so lucky that I was one of the contestants. I was very nervous, but everybody from Morning Pointe was so nice and helpful — you can just feel the spirit of the Lord here in this event tonight. Thank you, Morning Pointe Foundation, thank you for all that you do. God bless you all.”
Third-place winner Joel Dupré brought the audience to their feet with his classic Sinatra flair, sharing, “It’s just exhilarating to be back on stage again. Honestly, those folks out there is the only reason why I was here — the rest of this is just a bonus. You know, that old stuff, nobody does it anymore, and I hope some of the younger generation picks it up because that old style of music just never die,s and it never gets old to me. Thank you, Morning Pointe, for the opportunity.”
Better with Every Breath, a group from Clinch River Health made up of friends, earned the People’s Choice Award for their rendition of “This Train is Bound for Glory.” “It’s incredible to be named the People’s Choice by the people — and what an honor,” said Ed Harper, one of the group’s founding members. “We started this project of wellness at the end of May, and for me to be standing on stage with the People’s Choice award tonight just four to five months later, it’s incredible — a big wow. Proud is the word.” Group member Andy Sims added, “We had fun doing this. It’s out of our wheelhouse, but here we are on stage — it was real fun.”
Their Clinch River Health representative, Jill Dismore, shared how the group’s music serves a greater purpose. “This group are former Oak Ridge workers who have lung deficiencies, and we use this group to strengthen their lungs. We meet a couple times a month to help them do that — to live better and healthier lives.”
Throughout the evening, the variety of performances brought the audience through an incredible journey of artistic appreciation — from laughter to tears to standing ovations. Every act carried its own story, style, and heart, showcasing not just talent but a lifetime of experience and passion.
The judges were equally moved by the artistry on display. “It was amazing — I mean, there is so much talent in Knoxville and I was really privileged to be a part of this tonight,” said Rachel Schlafer–Parton. “I love the ensembles that sang together and played together — they just seemed to have so much fun and camaraderie. It was super hard being a judge because some things were so very close and everybody’s so different, but I was just thrilled to be part of it and thought everybody did a super job.”
Morning Pointe Foundation executive director Miranda Perez said the evening perfectly captured the Foundation’s purpose. “Knoxville’s show continues to amaze us every year. The performers pour their hearts into every note, and the community shows up in full force to support them. Every dollar raised tonight helps us invest in the next generation of caregivers right here in East Tennessee.”
Thank You to Our Sponsors
The Morning Pointe Foundation extends heartfelt thanks to its generous sponsors for making this year’s Knoxville showcase possible. Their support not only helps bring this event to life but also plays a vital role in expanding access to education and strengthening the region’s healthcare workforce. Through their generosity, the Foundation continues to fund scholarships for students pursuing careers in nursing, therapy, social work, culinary arts, and other allied health fields across East Tennessee.
Presenting Sponsor: ETPS, A Guardian Pharmacy
Diamond Sponsor: Propel Insurance
Gold Sponsors: Shalom Hospice & Palliative Care, MJ Mental Health
Silver Sponsors: Yardi, Aphix, Community Wellness Partners, Alzheimer’s Tennessee, Amada Senior Care, Clinch River Home Healthcare, HealthPro Heritage, Senior Care Partners of East Tennessee, and Guiding Star of Knoxville.
A Fundraiser with Purpose
Proceeds from Morning Pointe Seniors Got Talent directly support scholarships for East Tennessee students pursuing careers in healthcare and related fields at local partner schools, including Tennessee College of Applied Technology Knoxville, Tennessee College of Applied Technology Athens, Tennessee College of Applied Technology Jacksboro, Tennessee College of Applied Technology Harriman, Pellissippi State Community College, Tusculum University, Walters State Community College, Tennessee Wesleyan University, and Roane State Community College.
Since its founding in 2014, the Morning Pointe Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has awarded more than 170 scholarships to students across the Southeast, helping prepare the next generation of caregivers who will make a difference in the lives of seniors.
The Foundation hosts four Morning Pointe Seniors Got Talent showcases each year to support this mission. In addition to the Knoxville show, events are held in Franklin, Chattanooga, and Lexington, Kentucky.
For more information about the Morning Pointe Foundation or to support its mission, visit morningpointefoundation.com.
