The Smithfield Lions Club recently held their annual Bland Music Competition at Trinity United Methodist Church in Smithfield.  There were 13 students from the surrounding area that competed in vocal and instrumental categories.

Pictured from right are finalists Henry Havlin, age 12, piano, who attends sixth grade at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy; Harold Waiters III, 13, piano, who attends eighth grade at Western Branch Middle School;  first-place instrumental winner Andrea Lazell, 16, piano, who attends 10th grade at Lakeland High School; Smithfield Lions Club member Sol Sherfey;  first-place vocal winner Makaila Spratley, 18, alto, who attends 12th grade at Smithfield High School; homeschooled 12th-grader Emily Greene, 18, alto; Bella Loudermilk, 13, soprano, who attends eighth grade at Smithfield Middle School. For those advancing as far as the state finals, the Lions award scholarships of $3,000 for first place, $2,500 for second place, $2,000 for third place, and cash awards of $1,500 for fourth, fifth, and sixth places to vocal and instrumental finalists.