2008 Youthful Voices

Hear the future of storytelling as this special feature performance spotlights young raconteurs from across the nation.

Brackon Curtis and Jordan Sallee - Kentucky
Brackon Curtis, age 14, enjoys listening to and learning from his "Pa-paw" talking about how things were when he was young. He also like singing and playing the guitar. Jordan Sallee is 14 and enjoys playing football and just about anything outdoors, including riding horses and four-wheelers.

Todd Elliott - North Carolina
Todd Elliott's performances incorporate story, song and the fiddle, which he's been playing for 9 years. Todd, 15, is making his second appearance as a Youthful Voice; he's also performed at the Timpanogos and TaleSpin Storytelling Festivals. His interests include 4-H, fishing, hunting, woodcarving, photography, gardening, and keeping honey bees and chickens.

WeiAnne Reidy - Maryland
WeiAnne Reidy, 10, has been performing in many musicals, plays, TV shows, films and festivals since the age of 7, but storytelling is a personal favorite. "It gives me a challenge; once I get on the stage, all butterflies and nervousness are gone forever!" WeiAnne enjoys ice skating, and is a contest winning story writer and playwright.

Ruthanna Rubin - Texas
Ruthanna Rubin is an 11 year old who loves to talk! She entered her first storytelling contest at age 7, and this year won her category at the National Youth Storytelling Showcase. Ruthanna also enjoys ballet, singing, history, tennis, playing with friends and irritating her older brother.

Caden Watts - Utah
A ninth grader, Caden first started telling stories in kindergarten. Since then he has appeared at the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival and was a Torchbearer for his age group at the National Youth Storytelling Olympics. A master of impressions, he is the voice of Nick on Imagine Learning's latest software. Caden enjoys piano, drums, and baseball.