Extraordinary MAFB family continues years of talent

  • Published
  • By Airman Cortney Paxton
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Unlike their performance titled "Pirates Who Don't Do Anything," a very talented Malmstrom family did far from nothing on stage during this year's talent contest - and their efforts paid off.

Capt. Robert Heyward, 12th Missile Squadron missile combat crew commander; his wife Deborah; and their five children Spencer, 14; Cameron, 11; Karissa, 9; Dallin, 7; and Janessa, 3, performed their almost entirely homemade act in Malmstrom's talent contest this past May and won first place. The winning act was videotaped and then sent off to be judged at the Air Force level.

Their Veggie Tale-inspired act was judged in the family category among many other winning talents performed at other bases. It wasn't until just last week that the Heyward family found out that the hard work and dedication they put toward their show gave them third place in the family talent category within the entire Air Force.

"We did not expect to win necessarily at the Air Force level," Captain Heyward said. "This particular show wasn't as strong or have as high of an entertainment value as some of our other shows, but we did believe it was funny and the final product was an excellent video."

The final product was modified by everyone in the family. Although Deborah put the pirate costumes together to give the characters a look, the entire Heyward family brought them to life with song, dance and dialogue.

"The children came up with the idea and they all kind of had a vote on it," Heyward said. "Then we made the decisions on who was going to take what part, how we were going to dress and who was going to take certain roles. We decide on that then put a script together. Afterwards, everyone just picks and chooses and we come up with a consensus on how each child might interact or participate."

The Heyward family has been testing their creativity and teamwork in Air Force talent contests since 2006 and has been judged at the Air Force level three times now - winning first place in 2008, and third in 2007 and 2011.

"We're proud of the things we've done and what we've accomplished," Deborah said. "I think it's been really good for the kids as a confidence builder. It's enough audience that they get some experience on stage but yet it's not so overwhelming that they're getting put into that without any experience. It's good for our kids that they've learned to be on stage a little bit."

"We think this is an excellent program that the Air Force offers for families," Heyward said. "I would encourage families to work with their children and look for things they can participate in. Everyone has a talent - this is a great opportunity to get on stage and just put on a show."