March 7, 2001
Sabin students strut their stuff at annual talent show
Three dozen share center stage stardom
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Palms sweating, adrenaline pumping, the students fidgeted in their chairs.
Three dozen of them waited Monday afternoon for their turn in the limelight in the second annual Sabin Supercat Talent Show at Sabin Elementary School. With more than 20 acts, all developed by the students themselves, the show spotlighted some previously unrecognized talents of its students.
From singing to songwriting, poetry to piano and the violin to voice overs, students threw themselves into their acts. They chose the music, designed choreography and costumes and practiced on their own time.
With props ranging from garbage cans and cat ears to pajamas, the kids stood up in front of the whole school and shared their talent. Two girls were inspired by the show to write an original poem and an original song.
"We just wrote 'Puppies' because we like puppies and they are cute," said Katie Fouch, fourth-grade, who wrote and performed with her friend Kasey Mangrum. "We just started thinking about what to do and how we liked them, and my mom helped with the song."
Students performed their acts for the whole school Monday afternoon and had scheduled an evening performance for parents and friends. However, the district cancelled all evening events because of the bad weather and the talent show was called off as well.
While the afternoon's performance featured requisite piano and violin solos, with a coronet solo added for variety, many students' acts emulated their favorite video music star. Many acts emulated Britney Spears. Different girls, either solo or in a group, vamped and lip synched to a variety of pop hits.
Guys got into the music video act, too. Skyler Brodin and Nick Baker, both fifth-grade students, sang and played air guitars for their number.
"We like to sing and we love to listen to music," Brodin said. "We like having all the crowd. If we're really good, we'll be popular, but if we're really bad we might not be so popular."
The talent show was spearheaded by Sue Knott, a teacher's assistant who also produced last year's show. Knott noted that while the students developed and practiced their acts on their own time, the support of the staff and administration was crucial. Some teachers stayed in their rooms during lunch to give students a chance to practice their routine, she said.
"I absolutely love giving students this opportunity," said Knott. "I think elementary school talent shows are fabulous."
Knott said she has watched the kids' confidence grow during the past month of show preparation.
"After their act, I had at least five kids saying to me, 'That was fun, I'm not scared to do that anymore,'" Knott said. "You just have to look at their faces and see them shine at the chance to perform in front of their peers."
For the administration, the talent show provided a great way for students to build their self-esteem.
"This talent show gives kids a chance to shine," said Sharon Curtis, principal of Sabin Elementary School. "The biggest thing is it allows our kids to have an opportunity they wouldn't normal have. We've got sports, academics but a talent show is something voluntary that gives them a chance to stand out and shine."