Just before joining the rest of the bird calling winners under the bright lights of the “Late Show” stage, juniors Tyler Ellis and Maret Sotkiewicz squeezed each others’ hands and said, “Let’s do this.”

This year marked the final appearance of the Bird Calling Contest winners on the “Late Show with David Letterman” due to the host’s retirement. Now that 19 years with Letterman has come to a close, the contest’s future on television is unknown.

Ken Brown, producer of the Bird Calling Contest and MHS social studies teacher, said he grew up watching the bird callers on “The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson.” Carson hosted the winners 17 times starting in 1976 until Letterman invited them on his show in 1993.

Brown has not yet approached other shows about hosting the bird callers in future years, but thinks “The Ellen Show” would be a good place to start.

“I’ve tried my best to be respectful to the Late Show,” Brown said. “Now that it is essentially over, it’s time to start looking. I thought it would be disrespectful to start looking too early.”

Brown hopes that a different talk show will extend an invitation to the winners on their show.

“That’s 35 years of history and tradition of performing on television,” Brown said. “I think it’d be a really cool thing to keep alive and I’m hoping somebody in the show business agrees with that.”

Ellis and Sotkiewicz participated for the first time this year and won first place with their Pacific Loon call.

“I’m still shocked,” Ellis said.  “I think I will forever be shocked.”

Seniors Becca Havian, Jo Ireland and Amy Kelleher took second place, earning their second appearance on the “Late Show” with their impression of the Wild Turkey. The trio won third place in 2013 with the Gyrfalcon.

“Once you’re on there and you’re talking with him, Letterman makes you feel really comfortable,” Kelleher said. “It feels like a really easy, natural conversation.”

Havian said the winners meet Letterman for the first time when they film. Even if they feel nervous, he makes them feel welcome and comfortable.

“I always thought I would be intimidated to walk on stage and shake hands with David Letterman, but he has this very welcoming personality that makes you feel comfortable talking to him,” Havian said.

Ellis and Havian said one of the standout memories from the trip is meeting Paul Rudd as they walked off the Letterman stage.

“He said, ‘Holy shit, you guys are awesome. You sounded like a bunch of birds out there,’” Havian said.

Havian said she would participate in the contest even if the winners were not featured on Letterman and encourages all students to compete.

“It’s such a fun experience and it’s so quirky,” Havian said. “It’s something very unique to Piedmont.”

As Brown prepares for the contest every year, he tries to keep the community aspect at the forefront.

“I really try to impress that upon the kids who are participating,” Brown said. “It’s not just the big grand prize at the end. There is something bigger here that we’re a part of.”

During this year’s trip to New York City, Ellis said the winners talked about how unique of an opportunity it is to be recognized at the national level.

“Nobody deserves this opportunity,” Ellis said. “This is a complete gift.”