The MTHS theater audience filled up quickly April 12, 2013 to watch 15 skillful acts in the annual talent show hosted by juniors Myles Stillwaugh and Monika Young.
With a few jokes to warm up the crowd, Stillwaugh and Young introduced the judges: orchestra director, Jennifer Schillen; MTHS student advocate, Ashley Johnson; trumpet player, Patrick West; Brier Terrace Middle School counselor, Hanaphi Sos; and MTHS alumnus Joe Muriekes.
Junior Calvin Martin introduced the night with a fun performance of playing his banjo and singing “One Line Wonder” by The Avett Brothers.
Junior Calvin MArtin opens the night and impresses the crowd with his unusual skill of playing the banjo perfectly to his cover of the song, “One Line Wonder,” by the Avett Brothers.
Following Martin was sophomore Larkyn Pope changing genres of music to a slower beat with her song choice of “On The Radio” by Donna Summer, showing off her ability to change octaves smoothly.
Sophomores Dylan Tuju and Andy Phung took to the stage next, Tuju with his violin and Phung with his viola to play a duet of FUN’s “We Are Young” that they learned by ear.
Junior Megan Bruce was brought to the stage next to sing Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man,” but twisted the lyrics to make the song from the girl’s point of view.
Sonja Head, her guitar, and Emily Thorpe, seniors, were next to perform for the audience, singing Hunter Hayes’ “Wanted.”
Changing the pattern, junior Katie-Beth Higgins was next on stage to perform an Irish Dance that took her all around the stage silently and gracefully.
Sisters, Hailey and Kaitlyn Martin followed Higgins with Hailey singing her own version of “The Boxer” by Simon and Garfunkel with her sister accompanying her on the guitar. “I grew up listening to [the song] and I’ve always loved it,” Hailey expresses about the song she chose.
Junior Katy Bodnar concluded Act One with her guitar and an impressive original song “Curiosity,” that brought a standing ovation.
Junior Katy Bodnar sings her original song, “Curiosity” to the starstruck audience for the annual talent show on April 12.
Opening Act Two was junior Jocelyn Princesa singing Maroon 5’s “Better That We Break” with Calvin Martin reappearing as the piano player for Princesa’s slow song.
Following Princesa was freshman Krista Whited singing “The Prayer” from the Celtic Woman, changing the style of music to a lullaby feel.
Next on stage was freshman Jeremiah Leben singing and playing electric guitar to the song “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison. The upbeat song brought snaps to the beat throughout the audience.
Senior Serena Hohenstein was next to impress the judges and audience with an impressive act of singing and tap dancing to the song “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” by Frank Sinatra.
Singing a mash up of three of The Script’s songs, senior Phong Bach easily changed songs without much notice or any pause.
Bringing along her ukulele, freshman Princess Taylor took to the stage to sing “Lullaby,” showing the audience the skill that a lifetime of ukulele playing can bring.
The final performance of the night was junior Alyssa Haynes with her ukulele and back up singers, earlier act, Pope, and junior, Tauren Kure. Haynes performed an original song, “Without You,” reaching out to the audience by dedicating the song to all those who have lost someone before.
Junior Alyssa Haynes captures the crows’s attention with her slow song of a friend or family member that had passed away.
“Everyone was unique in their own way, and it was actually kind of fun this year because you had a couple different styles of stuff. Because see, some years, there can be a lot of singing, but then there was like the violinists, and the dancers, and there was so many different instruments played, and it was fun seeing the variety,” said Hailey.
The five judges left the auditorium to deliberate the three winners of the night, leaving the stage to the MTHS band Contempo, entertaining the crowd for the time being with a unique song with a solo for each instrument.
After Contempo’s performance, the contestants were brought back to the stage and the judges reentered the theater, bringing the audience to the edge of their seats with anticipation.
Stillwaugh and Young produced the trophies, including the audience as they handed the third place trophy to Haynes, Pope, and Kure; the second place trophy to Calvin Martin; and the first place trophy to Bodnar.
“All of them were really good. Katy, of course she’d make it through, she’s absolutely fantastic,” said Hailey.
The three winners advance to the interhigh talent show taking place on Wed., April 24 in the MTHS theater at 7:00.
