Senior Nikki Mathis saw fire within herself to sing at the Bears Got Talent talent show. She won $100 for first place in her first talent show to ever compete on, which was held at the high school on the Friday before Thanksgiving break.

Senior choir members were required to either help run the talent show or participate in it, so Mathis said she chose to sing because she didn’t feel she would be the best at running the event.

While singing “I See Fire” by Ed Sheeran, Mathis said she was extremely nervous but after being on stage for a little bit she got comfortable and it became easier to perform.

“I looked at my friends and they were smiling really big, so that gave me a little confidence,” Mathis said.

When she was announced as the winner, Mathis said she was shocked because she had not expected to win the talent show due to all the other amazing acts and performances.

Mathis said her passion in singing started at a young age and as the years have gone on, she has gotten more comfortable singing in front of other people and expanding on her vocal abilities. With this expansion, she decided to join choir her freshman year.

“My freshman year, junior year, and this year, I’ve made all-region choir, state in choir, and I sing in the youth band at my church,” Mathis said.

The talent show drew a big crowd from the student body, teachers and members of the community, and also boasted a variety of student performances.

“I really hope that this could become a yearly thing or something, because I would definitely come back to see it,” Mathis said.