In preperation for the April 2 talent show, the National Honor Society held tryouts this Tuesday and Wednesday. Virtual submissions are due today with the show to be held in the Don Tews Performing Arts Center.
“We wanted to put on the talent show to continue the tradition of allowing students to have an opportunity to showcase their abilities and talents outside of the classroom,” senior and NHS Vice President Alyssa Kato said. “This is especially important because we’re a club so focused on outward service to others.”
Auditions began on Wednesday and continue through today, with performers allowed to submit their routines virtually. The selection process, senior and NHS Secretary Adriana Browne said, is very lenient, as “anyone who believes they can do something is welcome as long as it is school appropriate.”
“We chose the talent show over a group project in this scenario because we are trying to get everybody on campus involved, not just those who are part of NHS,” Kato said. “We want to allow a community to form around this and make sure that anybody who wants to perform in it will have the opportunity to.”
All students and teachers are welcome to perform, regardless of their participation in NHS. Allegedly, an appearance is to be made by Principal Chris Simpson and other staff members.
“Last year many people believed the talent show to exclusively be for those in NHS,” senior and NHS Secretary Adriana Browne said. “This year we sought to correct that and make it more public. Opening the talent show to everyone makes it more of a school activity that connects people and brings together those who might not have ever interacted otherwise. This event brings us closer in appreciation and in awe of one another by providing recognition to many [different talents].”
Behind the scenes, hosts, ushers and performers may earn up to five hours worth of community service, whether to complete NHS requirements or make up hours. NHS officers expect a large turnout, given the increase in advertising since last year.
“I hope there will be a large turnout, but knowing high schoolers and how self conscious we are nowadays, I don’t think that will happen,” senior and NHS Public Relations Officer Isabella Hall said. “But it’s always nice to hope. Being able to stand on a stage and perform for people is a special type of confidence that not many people have. It’s also just fun being able to watch all the acts and enjoy other peoples’ talents.”
NHS officers brainstormed several dates which could work for both themselves, advisers, students and PAC staff before deciding on April 2.
“The hardest part has definitely been trying to spread the word as much as possible, especially because we only had two weeks to do so before the audition days,” Hall said. “It’s just been a tight timeline, but I feel like we’ve done the best that we can with the time we’ve been given.”
To conduct a show of this magnitude, a myriad of PAC managers, performers, hosts, ushers, door holders and concession servers continue to work together to “make the talent show a success,” Kato said.
“We wanted to give everybody in our community a chance to come together and be apart of something fun and uniting,” Kato said. “This event fosters community because of all of the moving parts that have to work together to make this happen.”
Hall said that through participating, she believes students will find a “new sense of confidence in themselves.”
“I hope people realize that everyone is too worried about themselves to focus on other people, so why not try it?” Hall said. “We’re just ants walking around on the earth and performing for ten minutes in our talent show will not be the end of the world. Maybe people will laugh, but at least you had to courage to go up and perform. I just wish people would realize how much better life would be if we stopped worrying about what other people think and started living life to have fun because everyday is a blessing to be alive.”
