Another group of high schoolers joined the ranks of past Piedmont birdcallers last Friday night, performing skits both silly and serious for the 56th Annual Piedmont Bird Calling Contest. Theo Ferguson, Drew Kobal and Matt Steimle ultimately won the judge’s approval with their rendition of the Crow.
This year’s event was judged by PHS alum Danelle Morones — one of the first PHS Bird Callers to be featured on the Johnny Carson Show — and PHS alums Valerie Lee (of J.Miller Flowers) and Josh Berstein (All New Smiles Dentistry). Returning alum Jim Bowman (PHS ’78) reprised his winning snowy egret.
Crow team Theo Ferguson, Drew Kobal, and Matt Steimle 
Markos Lagios and Sam Shelby showcase the Mallard Duck 
Jackson’s Widowbird: Claire Aubrecht, Juliana DeYoung, and Skye Prata 
Call of the Raven: Nico Kaltenecker, Declan Murphy, Drake Prata, and Ben Wakefield 
Mourning Dove: Luke McAuliffe, Colin Amen and Dean Olliphant 
Gracey Ann Hatchell and Tenzing Helgesen for The Great Potoo
Danelle “Birdie” Morones, PHS ’76, performs the call of The Killdeer 
The PHS Jazz Ensemble — Noah Maximo Miller (piano), Dennis Radzik (drums), and Erik Venner (guitar) — plays while the judges deliberate 
Guest judges PHS alums Valerie Lee, Josh Bernstein, and Danelle Morones