Voices ringing sweetly like a choir of angels, ballerinas leaping through the air, genius math prodigies inciting gasps of amazement among the astonished crowd, dancers moving to the synchronized, rigid rhythm of music all against a glowing, blue backdrop that shone against the darkness of the auditorium. This was the scene as the SGA Class of 2021 hosted their second annual talent show on the evening of November 30, leaving the audience in awe.
“I thought the show was really cool, everybody in it was so great. I really enjoyed AHI TUNA and I enjoyed every act. I loved it. I would really recommend if you didn’t come this year, you should come next year ‘cause it’s gonna be even better,” said Audrey Collin, an Atholton student.
Along with his event was part of a schoolwide effort to emphasize the importance of the arts. Throughout the holiday season each year, Atholton shows off the artistic talents of its students through concerts and talent shows, in an attempt to demonstrate not only its many capabilities but how these capabilities add to the beauty of its community.
On the night of the talent show, after the lights had turned back on and final salutations had been announced, signaling its end, compliments spread throughout the remaining audience members like wildfire. Some complimented the organization of the show, and others the performances. This, however, does not undermine the hours of hard work that had to go into making this event possible. Although feelings still soared among performers about being in the spotlight, challenges were still revealed about organizing the show and finding time to practice.
Talent show singer Nikki Farnham said, “you always have to find the time to practice and that’s not always easy depending on what schedule you have.”
Finding time to perfect a piece isn’t the only challenge, as there were also challenges in the coordination.
Ms. Payne, the teacher sponsor of the SGA class of 2021, explained how the advertising was the hardest thing about organizing the show.
But through all of the hardships and challenges, the performers still found the bright side of things.
Ballet dancer Rowan Greenwalt explained that the most important thing about performing is “that you’re enjoying what you’re doing, not necessarily that it’s exactly perfect or anything ‘cause not every performance is gonna be perfect. As long as you feel good about it, and you make the audience feel something, then it’s a good performance.”
On the night of the talent show, many members of the audience praised the performers for their wonderful performances
Alex Moody, an Atholton student, believed that the performers had done a fantastic job with their talents, saying that they were “very entertaining.”
Even more, some believed that the talent show really excelled at the critical aspects that are more hidden – its organization.
According to Atholton student Sophia Leshchyshyn, the show was very well organized and coordinated, even adding that surpassed last year’s show.
At the dress rehearsal the day before, performers chatted lightheartedly with their friends and comrades, smiles spread widely upon their faces. Short bursts of laughter erupted among the heard hushed whispers like roses standing upon a field of tranquil grass. After getting everyone’s attention, Ms. Payne went over the plan for the day and called up the first performers. A sea of shimmering pom-poms glistened in the golden light of the room as feet shuffled lightly onto the stage. They were ready.
This was the second annual talent show hosted by the SGA class of 2021. They have also hosted other past events such as back sales and fundraisers.
Looking forward, SGA is hosting multiple spirit nights at restaurants throughout the year, and will soon be starting to plan for the prom.
At the end of the show, ballerina Rowan Greenwalt won third place, singer Nya Lampasone won second, and math genius Dallin Christiansen won the grand prize. Although these brilliant performers surely deserve to be celebrated, at the end of the day, the talent show was really about expressing oneself through art, and the importance of art in a society, which can only be explained in the words of poms member, Dani Tran. “I think the arts are really important because it helps us as a culture to expand and really appreciates what we can do as people and at that point, it’s not just about how many cool things can we do with metal and technology. It’s like, how can we speak to others and really touch each other’s hearts.”