The 2024 Bill Riley Talent Search at the Iowa State Fair featured many promising young dancers, musicians and singers over seven days of preliminary competition and three days of semifinals, but in the end, only one can now claim to be the champion.
Sunday afternoon, nine acts took to the Anne & Bill Riley Stage for the finale. They were pianist Josiah Vos, 17, of Sioux City; contemporary dancer Caleb Meiners, 19, of Ottumwa; pianist Anna Lu, 16, of Johnston; a dance quintet comprised of Peyton Tiemeyer, 15, of Earlham, Charli Harkins, 18, of Van Meter, Ash Van Ness, 18, of Earlham, Malia Fuller, 17, of Dexter and NiAyla Johnson, 12, of Dexter; singer Sage Minnihan, 18, of Onawa; singer Megan Wheelock, 20, Waterloo; singer Jonah Carney, 16, of Parkersburg; singer Lily Schloss, 18, of North Liberty; and dancer Annelise Bell, 15, of Ottumwa.
All nine had to advance through several competitions, including previous shows at the fair as well as preliminary county fair competitions. Their efforts culminated in a final performance before a panel of judges, including nationally renowned teachers and a former Bill Riley Talent Search champion.
The competition wasn't just for glory; on the line was $20,000 in total, with the grand champion taking home a check for $10,000.
Every performer displayed virtuosity in their respective art, showing skill far above their age. The event was a testament to human talent and dedication. While every performer was excellent, in the end the judges selected Lily Schloss as the winner.
Get to know Lily Schloss, 2024 winner of the Bill Riley Talent Search
Schloss was the final act, giving a virtuosic performance of "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston, managing to capture some of Houston's legendary vocal style, while still making the song her own. She said the $10,000 will go toward her college education.
The day after her performance, Schloss will move to the University of Iowa for college, majoring in music education, musical theater and vocal performance. Her singing days are far from over, but she said her time performing in the Bill Riley Talent Search has come to an end.
"I started when I was 10 years old," she said. "I've competed twice in the sprouts division and now twice in the senior. It's good to go out on a high note."
Schloss was no stranger to the Iowa State Fair, but winning the competition left her in tears as soon as her name was called.
"I was shocked and overwhelmed," she said. "I'm so grateful to my parents and my siblings and my whole support structure."
With eight years of performance Schloss is no stranger to rejection. She said that no matter what county she competed in, she received good feedback from the judges that made her want to keep coming back, and she was overjoyed to have all that effort culminate in a giant trophy and a check for $10,000.
"I will definitely come back to watch," she said. "This has been an incredible journey, and I want to support those who come after me."
The Bill Riley Talent Search is an annual event that takes place across most county fairs, where individuals or groups can compete in two divisions, Sprouts for those ages 2 to 12 and seniors for those ages 13 to 21. In recent years, the finals were hosted by Bill Riley Jr., but he was unable to attend this year due to health issues.
Who else placed in the Bill Riley Talent Search?
The other winners of this year's search where Josiah Vos in second, Megan Wheelock in third, Sage Minnihan in fourth and Anna Lu in fifth. In the sprouts division, Luke Justice, Amav Dervesh, Mars Henn, Gunner Jennings, Faith Eugenia Scott, Micah Rusch and Ben Shuput where all crowned champions earlier at the fair.
Ryan Magalhã es is a reporter for the Register. Reach them at rmagalhaes@dmreg.com .
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Meet the 2024 Bill Riley Talent Search grand champion at the Iowa State Fair
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