Dallas Lutheran freshman Olivia Rutherford (above, left) won first prize singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” at the DLS Talent Show on Jan. 21. She triumphed against 14 other talented acts involving 20 students, three friends, and three parents from the Dallas Lutheran community. The event was sponsored by SHINE, a select vocal ensemble at DLS that performs at nursing homes and elementary schools. Dallas Lutheran’s Music Director, Connie Gatlin, shared her excitement. “This annual free/fun event continues to grow with almost 300 in attendance this year,” she said. Honors were also given to Katherine Ortega for winning the Bubble-Gum Blowing Bonanza three years in a row.

Lutheran elementary school students competed Sat., Jan 28, in the Lutheran District Spelling Bee held at Dallas Lutheran School. John Allred (below, right), an 8th grader at Dallas Lutheran, won the bee by correctly spelling “siege” and “compromise.” The runner-up was Zion Lutheran 8th grader Ruth Mwangomo (at right, on left). Three Dallas County Lutheran schools competed in this bee: Dallas Lutheran, Our Redeemer and Zion Lutheran.

In order to compete in the District Bee, students needed to be first, second or third place winners in the preliminary grade bees. Allred will advance to the Regional Dallas County Bee at University of Texas at Dallas.