As excitement continues to build for Hometown Voices and Nashville Stories, the talented hometown contestants are putting the finishing touches on performances they’ve spent months preparing. But while they’ll be competing for the coveted People’s Choice Award, every singer knows this competition is about something far greater than taking home a trophy.
Contestants Darcy DeGuise, Annita and Wim Bens, Shellie Dolan, Leela Simpson, Stetson and Cia Adkisson, and Dawn Siggett are donating their time and talents because they believe every child deserves the opportunity to succeed.
They understand that the children at Seeds of Learning Early Care and Education Center need the support of the entire community, and they’re working hard to earn every vote while helping provide life-changing opportunities for Pagosa Springs’ youngest learners.
Online voting is open at vote.pagosavoice.org, where every vote is just $1. Voters may cast as many votes as they’d like, and can support one singer or several. Every vote counts toward the People’s Choice Award while also helping Seeds of Learning continue its mission of providing exceptional early childhood education.
Every dollar raised through Hometown Voices and Nashville Stories helps provide tuition assistance for local families who otherwise couldn’t afford high-quality early childhood education. Those dollars also help ensure that children receive the strong educational foundation they need during the most critical years of development.
Research consistently shows that 85 to 90 percent of a child’s brain development occurs before the age of 5, making early childhood one of the most important investments a community can make.
Higher-quality preschool programs have larger impacts on children’s development while children are enrolled in the program and are more likely to create gains that are sustained after the child leaves preschool.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (or NAEYC) is the highest and most esteemed quality credentialing body for early childhood education. For 12 years, Seeds has held NAEYC accreditation, which less than 10 percent of preschools in the United States achieve.
In 2025, NAECY added a higher level of quality recognition called Accreditation Plus. Seeds has achieved Accreditation Plus status for both years this program has been in place. The simple explanation of this status is that NAECY recognizes us as operating a top-tier, model level program-wide. Seeds of Learning is one of two preschools that holds this accreditation in Southwest Colorado.
Seeds of Learning’s fundraiser, Hometown Voices and Nashville Stories, is much more than a singing competition. It is a celebration of hometown talent, unforgettable Nashville storytelling and a community coming together to invest in high-quality early education environments like Seeds of Learning, who help build that foundation by nurturing curiosity, confidence and a lifelong love of learning.
Whether you’re cheering for a friend, family member or your favorite local performer, your vote has the power to make a lasting impact. Every dollar helps a child. Every vote encourages a hometown singer. Every contribution strengthens our community.
Cast your votes today at vote.pagosavoice.org.
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