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Grand
Island High School students show off their talent
Review by Joshua
Maloni
Photos by Nathan Keefe
Niagara Frontier Publications, May 3, 2007
Tim Franklin, Marc Gerfin, Ellen Cameron and Stephanie Cartwright performed “The
Red Sky,” an instrumental piece. |
Last week, James Rayhill and Jason Voltz brought
sexy back.
They also rode a bicycle, Irish danced, dressed like
the Village People, mocked their vice principal and fought Mortal
Kombat.
In front of almost 600 people.
Including their parents.
Their teachers.
And their classmates.
What would possibly possess them to do such a thing?
“Jason and I are kinda’ goofy,” Rayhill said. “We
just don’t care what people think; we go up there and do what we
think is funny.”
It was that kind of thinking that led them – and more
than 20 Grand Island High School students – to take part in the annual
talent show on Thursday, April 26. The event, held in the auditorium-turned-“American-Idol”-stage,
was a fund-raiser for the junior class. Nearly $3,000 was raised,
and will go toward the students’ senior prom.
“There were more kids than I thought would show up,”
Assistant Principal Christopher Swiatek said. “It was very well organized
by (English teacher) Amanda Souliske.” |
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Amanda Souliske, a Grand Island High School English teacher, said talent show
emcees James Rayhill, Jason Voltz and Zack Tondera (pictured above) were, “awesome.
I was so impressed. It was a phenomenal job. They were wonderful. They were
really funny.” |
Singer Cassie Ungaro sounded like Britney
Spears – with more talent. Before she began “Alabaster Box,”
the audience screamed, “We love you Cassie!”
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While the emcees were comedic, each performer was serious. Several
students performed songs – some solo, some in a band – two participated
in a drum competition, and one was filmed MTV-style walking toward
the stage. English teacher Rachael Fraser, a professional ballet
dancer, drew the largest pop from the audience – not to mention a
few marriage invites from smitten students.
“Usually, it’s a group of teachers (that perform),” Rayhill said.
“I thought it was cool that she did it by herself.”
Seniors Stephanie Cartwright and Ellen Cameron were
perhaps the night’s biggest talents, performing in what seemed like
every other number.
Participating students were selected to perform based
on their auditions.
“We chose the students that were the most rehearsed,”
Souliske said.
Whether good or bad, talented or not, each student
embraced the stage and their moment in the spotlight.
“What I was most surprised about was how relaxed they all were,”
Swiatek said. “It shows a great deal of confidence on their behalf.
It takes a great deal of risk to show their talents (in front of
their peers).” |
Grand Island High School English teacher Rachael Fraser, left, and student Devan
Golda were among the talent show’s top performers. |
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Grand Island High School English teacher Rachael Fraser performed a solo dance
routine to the All-American Rejects’ song “It Ends Tonight.”
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