This year, the Austin High student council is working to start a new Maroon tradition, and the recent inaugural Austin High talent show, spearheaded by librarian Mel Stewart, was a smashing success. With a first-place prize of $250, the aim of the show was to display the hidden talents of Austin High students and allow them to showcase their interests.
The show took place on Thursday, January 30th from 10:40 to 11:20. In this exclusive event, a maximum of 25 students were able to perform for anybody in the school to enjoy. This event brought uncertainty and suspense to what was about to occur. Until the curtains opened, there was no way of knowing whether it would work out. Would people show up? Would the performances run smoothly? None of these questions would be answered until the mic was turned on, and performers hit the stage. However, when the clock hit 10:35, students flooded out of their 5th-period classes, flocking to the Austin High Performing Arts Center to see their peers perform in front of them. By 10:40, the PAC was completely filled. An eager audience member took every seat, and crowds of students even stood at the back of the room for a chance to view the stage. Unfortunately, anyone who showed up late did not have the opportunity to see the talent show. By 10:45, the space was filled and the doors were shut, leaving stragglers outside, begging to come in. Some were left without any opportunity to get a glimpse of the exclusive event.
The show began, with artistic Austin High students performing one after the other. The crowd was enthusiastic and interactive. This year, the talent show was a treat for all who got to attend and a great showcase of the talent that the school possesses.
The winner of the talent show, elected by the school student council, received a $250 cash prize, along with the praise of the school. That money was awarded to the one and only Ace Howell, and his band The Thunderous Bangs. Ace, well-known around Austin High for his singing and songwriting abilities, performed a short song backed up by his guitar player and drummer. An impressive moment was his guitar solo, where he enthusiastically strummed complex rhythms on his guitar, exciting the audience. His performance impressed both the audience and the judges, and along with the large money prize, the crowd roared and cheered at the band’s conclusion.
While the Thunderous Bangs took a well-deserved first place, there were many other notable performers. The talented band duo, Max and Marcel, who took second place, also displayed their impressive singing, drumming, and guitar skills. In third place was Mia Ansel, who was the only tap dancer to take the stage. Mia has been tap dancing for years now, and her skills did not disappoint.
Beyond the top three, there were many other exciting performances and crowd favorites. One act that got the crowd roaring was Abigail singing Hot to Go by Chappel Roan. The audience was captivated by her performance, singing, clapping, and dancing along. It was clear that everyone in the PAC was thoroughly enjoying themselves. Ibrahim Madeira was the only stand-up comedy act, and while strumming the guitar, he was able to perform interactive jokes that had the audience bursting with laughter.
Overall, the talent show was successful and entertaining, running smoothly without any hiccups. With such an exciting response from the school community, it is safe to say that there could be a new, cherished tradition on the horizon for students at Austin High.
