Oneida Nation Employee Talent Show first place winner Rebecca Sherwood performs on stage at the Turning Stone Resort Casino Showroom (Courtesy Oneida Indian Nation)
From left, second place winner Evan Lipton, third place winner Nolan Van Fleet, and first place winner Rebecca Sherwood celebrate following the Oneida Nation Employee Talent Show at Turning Stone Resort Casino (Courtesy Oneida Indian Nation)
(Verona, NY – May 8, 2013) A group of 26 Oneida Nation employees took to the stage Tuesday night, May 7, for the 14th annual Employee Talent Show at the Turning Stone Resort Casino Showroom. When the judges’ votes were counted, Rebecca Sherwood’s heartfelt vocal performance of an original song titled, “Watching Flowers Grow,” earned first place honors.
The culinary employee, who works at Opals Confectionery at Turning Stone, earned a $1,000 top prize and the chance to open for a national act at a future Turning Stone concert. It was Sherwood’s third appearance in the Employee Talent Show. She took home second place in 2012.
Tuesday night’s show featured singers, musicians, comedy and even a magic act. Saxophonist Evan Lipton of the Games Department captured the second place prize of $300 with a version of the Alicia Keys’ hit song, “If I Ain’t Got You.” Fellow Games Department employee Nolan Van Fleet wowed the audience with a slick magic act, earning the third place prize of $100.
Along with the performing arts portion of the show, 30 employees submitted entries that were judged in several visual and literary arts categories. Each winner received a $100 cash prize. Joseph Murphy, Hotel Spa, won in the art category. Jeff Goettel of the Marketing Department was the winner in the crafts category. The literary category winner was Beth Bobay, Player Services. Allen Skellham, External Affairs, took the prize in the photography category.