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Annual Poland High School show rich with talent
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The Poland Seminary High School STEP Talent Show, hosted on Feb. 28, featured the many musical, vocal, and instrumental talents of Poland students. Jackie Jepsen played the piano and sang during her performance of the Coldplay song "Fix You."
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Mitch Tompson played guitar while singing the humorous song "George Lucas Stole Our Childhood" by Hot Waffles. By the end of his song, Tompson had the entire crowd singing the refrain of "George Lucas Stole Our Childhood," as they laughed along.
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Emily Begala (left) and Dominic Iuduciani were the only duet of the show. They sang the '80's hit "Hello" by Lionel Richie. After their performance, host Alex Hunt said, "That is what real talent sounds like!"
By SARAH FOOR
There was a possibility that this year at Poland High School, the Student, Teachers, Education, and Parent (STEP) association wouldn’t be able to host its annual Talent Show.
“I had so many kids telling me, “I love the talent show! There’s no way you can get rid of it,’” said STEP event chair Dianne Petro before the Feb. 28 show. “They love the program and they put an amazing amount of work into it. They were so adamant, we had to get it done for them.”
The STEP Talent Show is the sole fundraiser for the organization’s scholarship program, which bestows a $500 award to one male and one female Poland student at the close of the school year.
However, the students expressing themselves is what Petro appreciates most.
“Our kids spend a lot of time in band or chorus or drama club, but they’re performing how someone else wants them to. The Talent Show lets them perform their art — their way,” Petro said.
The show featured Poland’s many musical talents, including singers, instrumentalists, songwriters, and bands, but also showed the quick wit of hosts Alex Hunt and Demetrios Constantine, and the comedy of Jordan Varkonda.
Nathan Wang, an exchange student from China, performed the song “I’m Yours” in the show, where he sang a verse in his native language.
Andy Morales-Torres accompanied many of his classmates on the guitar for their performances, but also took center stage to perform a song he wrote and arranged for his girlfriend.
Varkonda, after entertaining the crowd with his jokes, admitted, “I don’t know if you can tell, but I used to have stage fright. But everyone gave me a lot of support and inspired me to come out and perform for you tonight.”
After the show, as the students were celebrating, Petro admired Varkonda’s confession.
“He really understood what we’re trying to do here,” Petro said. “We’re here to support our students and allow these wonderful artistic expressions.”