LYNNWOOD—Eight-year-old Apollonia “Polly” Gutierrez, a student at Washington Virtual Academies (WAVA) won first place in the second-grade division of K12’s National Talent Showdown against students from across the country for her improvised singing performance.
While talent shows may be common in a traditional school setting, students like Polly who learn online don’t always have the creative outlet to showcase their skills. However, this Lynnwood student found an opportunity and took the chance.
Polly told the Lynnwood Times she first began singing around the age of three, shortly after her and her family relocated to the Lynnwood area from New Mexico in 2021.
During her performance for WAVA’s National Talent Showdown, Polly performed an improvised song about a butterfly where she made it up on the spot – inspired by her father, a musician, teaching her that music can be improvised, and free-flowing, not always rehearsed and pre-written.
“Originally I had a different song on the same topic, but I didn’t really like it, so I tweaked it a little bit,” Polly told the Lynnwood Times. “I just kind of made it up.”
Polly added that she was both nervous and excited to perform, because she has “stage fright” but the virtual talent show setting was a little less intimidating than it would be getting up on stage in front of hundreds of people.
“Even if you’re nervous just do it. No matter what you feel, it’s always going to come out good if you just believe in yourself,” said Polly.
The virtual talent show divided contestants into different age groups, with Polly’s (competing in the second-grade division) performance close to the beginning. Because of this, she had to wait until the very end to hear the judge’s ruling leaving her in “suspense” and anticipation.
One of her favorite performances, while she waited for the results, was another contestant who told all chicken-related jokes.
K12’s annual virtual National Talent Showdown gives students from across the country the chance to compete, perform, and celebrate their unique abilities online, making Polly’s national first-place finish an especially exciting accomplishment.
Polly says she’s dreamed of becoming a singer for as long as she can remember. When her family relocated to Lynnwood, she shared that singing became a way to help her adjust to the big life change, and over time, it grew into a passion she now loves sharing with others. She now dreams of being a professional singer some day (or a scientist, she can’t decide). Her favorite musical artist is One Republic.
“I don’t think anything has ever crossed my mind [other than singing]. But I also want to volunteer at shelters and stuff because I love animals,” said Polly.
Polly said she learned about the competition through her school newsletter and immediately saw it as an opportunity to share her passion for music with a broader audience.
“I thought, ‘Oh, that’s a good way to get the work out that I like singing.’ And I’ve also just always wanted to perform,” said Polly.
Along with a trophy, certificate, K12 swag, and a $500 cash prize, Polly earned national recognition for a talent she’s been quietly nurturing since preschool. She’s still deciding whether to save or spend her winnings.
Polly’s family enrolled her, and her two brothers, in virtual school back in 2020 – during the pandemic.
“When they decided to return kids back to the classroom they gave everyone the option of staying virtual or coming back. We decided to remain virtual to give our kids some consistency for the rest of the school year,” Polly’s father, Jesse Gutierrez, told the Lynnwood Times. “We really enjoyed the flexibility of it, the ability it let our kids do the work at their own pace. We really liked having more control over their schedule and it’s been a great thing to be highly present, and involved, in their learning experience.”
Washington Virtual Academies still adheres to the state’s testing and curriculum standards and even provides the ability to go on frequent field trips (such as the zoo, pumpkin patches, roller skating nights, the Pacific Science Center, and more).
Polly shared with the Lynnwood Times that her favorite subjects in school are P.E. and Art. When she’s not singing, running, and doing art she loves to read. Her favorite thing to read is the Hooky series by Miriam Bonastre Tur.
WAVA also hosts virtual photography and art contests. Polly, who loves painting as well, has also participated in these art contests.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
