May 16th marked the Best Buddies Talent Show at GTJHS, featuring groups such as NHS, Love Loud Club, Unified Dance, and others. The talent show was free-of-charge and was held during third block. Members from the Best Buddies Club were not the only performers as the talent show was open for all TJ students. Performers presented various talents such as rapping, group dancing, contemporary dancing and a final chorale to Michael Jackson’s “Man In the Mirror”. Also decorating the stage were vocal soloists from TJ’s PATS program along with Gen-Ed student vocalists who also joined the fun.
To make the show even more colorful, four TJ faculty members shared a special spotlight while adorned as “Masked Singers”. They each performed to separate tracks while disguised as Johnny and the Devil, The Seagull, and the Light Guy. At the end of their performance, the masked singers were revealed to be Mr. Rippeon and Mr. Henderson (Johnny and the Devil, respectively), Mr. O’Hara (Seagull), and Mr. Marshall (Light Guy). Prior to the grand reveal, the majority of the audience guessed accurately for all three categories, and left the Best Buddies stage crew in awe.
To finalize the event, Ms. Katita Boyd and Ms. Jaimie Wolfe presented a speech, while outlining their message behind the talent show: People are meant to be celebrated regardless of their mental or physical disabilities. Just as the Best Buddies talent show makes a difference in our community, we are all capable of making a contribution. Regardless of how small, your efforts will change the world. On that note, the whole of the stage was filled with all performers and staff singing, “I’m starting with the man in the mirror”.
Many thanks to all staff who helped with choreography, choir formation, backstage, emotional support, and in all other aspects. A special thank you to Ms.Boyd for being the chief director in the show, along with Ms. Wolfe who played an integral part in uniting the crew. Last but not least, shout-out to all students who played roles such as announcers, stage crew, ushers, and of course, performers. This the first ever Best Buddies Talent show in collaboration with TJ’s PATS and Special Education Program and will not certainly be the last.
