Standard School holds 2012 spring talent show

Times Contributor

 

The Grade Twelve students at Standard School have been busy fundraising for their Graduation this spring. In an effort to showcase talent from Standard School students they hosted the first ever talent showcase on Thursday night.

Earlier in February the signs went up at school that a talent show was going to happen at the beginning of March. Students had to sign up at the office and then had to audition in front of a panel of judges to see if they would make it into the final showcase. Canadian Idol-type auditions started at the end of February. Students were also encouraged to bring in art pieces, writing, drawing, sewing along with those who would sing and dance.

Thursday night came and the gymnasium started to fill up with family and friends from the communities of Standard, Hussar, Rockyford and Gleichen to watch their kids perform on stage. Seventeen student acts made the final cut.

Emily Bertsch, a Grade 7 student, was the opening act singing “Taking Chances”, accompanied on piano by volunteer Maureen Gregory. Lyndsay Goebel, with Nick Gerritsen accompanying her on guitar, sang “Field of Gold”, and Frances Love, a Grade 6 student, sang “Call Me Maybe”. Brayden DesRoche wowed the crowd with magic tricks that he had perfected with decks of cards, leaving many in the audience stumped as to how he actually did it.

Marley Gregory, no stranger to the Standard School stage, sang “The Fox”, followed by Adelle Ellis, who graduates this spring, singing “Go Away From My Window”. One of the youngest entertainers for the evening was Grade 1 student Lauren Jensen, who surprised everyone with her voice and “non-stage fright” singing Taylor Swift’s song “Our Song”. She was a favorite that night, for sure.

Megan and Leah Cavanagh (sisters) worked hard at preparing a comedy act and had the crowd laughing so hard it brought tears to some eyes. Sydni Sundgaard (a Grade 2 student and performer with Expressions the Dance Gallery in Strathmore) danced “Another Cha-Cha with a colorful, bright costume and makeup to boot. Maren Everett followed with the song “Homeward Bound,” accompanied again by Maureen Gregory.

Chloe Gregory, the youngest performer of the night, had many of the older folks reminiscing about Shirley Temple as she sang “On the Good Ship Lollipop”, she did a fantastic job. Joely Dahm played three piano pieces “Italian Children’s Games”, “If I Were a Rich Man”, and lastly “Rocky Mountain Train”. Grade 3 student Ashton Mavor performed a ballet piece called “Mulan Cups and Saucers”. Erin Bertsch sang “Froggy Went a Courtin’”.

The final performances were done by EricaLyn Skibsted singing country favorite “When You Say Nothing At All”, a tribute to her parents, as it was their wedding song. Cole Garvin-Roper and Tristen Penney made a great comedic team as they recited a poem together. Graduate for this coming year was Caley Ryan dancing a hip-hop solo to “All of the Lights” and “Gifted”.

It was a fabulous night of entertainment and many comments from the crowd talked about the amazing talent that comes from the students of the communities in East Wheatland.

The Grade Twelve graduating class raised just over $3,000 that night with donations for Silent Auctions and admission. The entire event was student-run, from the programming to the collection of donations, and one student Morgan McCallum even sold 200 gourmet cupcakes, which was a showcase of her talent.