EHS graduate wins big at national competition

Enterprise native Joshua Barbaccia placed in several competitions during the National Talent America competition in New York City from July 7-11.

Barbaccia first competed in the organization's event held in Enterprise in April.

"I had to enter the competition down here because they do different sectors," Barbaccia said, stating there were competitions around America and other countries, such as South Africa. "I entered in three categories. I entered in Commercial Acting, Songwriting and Casual Male Modeling."

The Casual Male Modeling category requires modeling casual clothing for judges, according to Barbaccia. He said he modeled an outfit that included suspenders and a hat.

Barbaccia said he also competed in Commercial Acting, where he performed different commercials at both the local and national level.

What Barbaccia said he really wanted to compete in, though, was the Songwriting competition.

"The reason I entered modeling and commercial acting is because they want to see versatile (competitors), and they want to see more people," he said. "The songwriting was a breeze. I did it easily because that's what I like to do the most. When it comes to entertainment, I like to write. I like to write it out, whether it is music, TV scripts, characters and design. I would like to be a front man, but I would also like to be behind the scenes and just building everything that leads to a big production."

He said he saw the most reaction following the competition from his songs.

"Down here, I entered in (one song)," he said. "I got an email from them, when I was going to head up to New York for the finals, that they liked my songwriting so much that they wanted me to perform two songs while I was up there."

After competing in the national event, Barbaccia said he has received three callbacks about his songwriting skills.

At the national competition, Barbaccia placed first and second nationally in the songwriting competition, first in casual male modeling and first in commercial acting.

Barbaccia, a 2015 Enterprise High School graduate, said he waited until after high school to compete, following his family's wishes. While in high school, he said he participated in marching band, and a number of events associated with band, and took part in another local competition similar to Talent America, but centralized to Alabama.

When he was not competing, Barbaccia said he visited "typical tourist" attractions while in New York City.

"One of the days that other people were competing and I didn't, I got to hit Times Square, the Empire State Building, and all the typical tourist stuff," he said. "It was amazing. I've only been to one big city, which was Chicago, for about a week. So, going to New York, that was a totally new experience for someone like me that's only been in the South for most of his life. I've always pictured it like that, and that's always kind of the place I wanted to go. It was the coolest place ever."

After high school and the national competition, Barbaccia said he continues to write songs in his spare time. He said he was happy to have taken part in the talent competition.

"I was glad to do this (competition) specifically," he said. "I got to visit a new city, and I met lots of talented, new people." Enterprise native Joshua Barbaccia placed in several competitions during the National Talent America competition in New York City from July 7-11.