Wareham Middle School’s auditorium was filled with happy faces and plenty of applause for the 20 performances included in Wareham’s Got Talent on May 31.

The competitors were chosen from 75 auditions. Those selected practiced two times each week for the month ahead of the show with guidance from the co-advisors of the Wareham Middle School Student Council, Jessica Hathaway and Katherine Frain.

“I think it really highlights some of the other skills besides academics,” said Frain. “Students shine here. We have great musicians, great singers, great artists and (we) make it about celebrating the different talents people can have.”

The top three acts were selected by judges, but every participant got a single flower.

Jaylin Svedine and her two puppets, Penelope and Suzie, earned third place for their ventriloquist performance.

Brendan Tremblay and Evelyn Francis came in second place for their singing duet of Rise Up.

Dylan Cournoyer was awarded first place for his performance of “Heart of Gold,” which he sang while playing the guitar and harmonica.

Cournoyer, who is in seventh grade, has worked on honing his skills as a musician for three years and does street performances on Onset Beach and Wareham Crossing.

Cournoyer said he didn’t expect to win first place because of all the talented acts that came before him.

Because people often experience discouraging or stressful situations, Cournoyer feels talent shows such as this one gives students who feel like they don’t have a voice a chance to shine.

“Some people kind of get talked down, so when they stand out in front of a crowd, it’s good,” said Cournoyer, “They show what they are and are not afraid to unfold (like) a flower.”