It was a night under the stars on Jan. 29 as over 150 people gathered in the West Hempstead Secondary School’s auditorium for the first annual district wide talent show.
The schools have previously held talent shows but this was the first year that performers were invited from all four schools in the district to participate.
Over 20 students, ranging from kindergartners to high school seniors, performed songs, dances and comedy programs for the crowd to enjoy.
The night was organized by the West Hempstead school district’s fine, performing and culinary arts department and the Parent Teacher Student Association’s Parents Supporting the Arts group.
The Parents Supporting the Arts is a new group within the PTSA dedicated to promoting and supporting West Hempstead’s arts programs. “You can always create art, whether it’s dancing, drawing, or making ceramics,” Alison Heikkila, a parent in the Parents Supporting the Arts group, said. “We’re trying to bring that out and showcase what our students can do.”
“The arts, in my mind, are one of the most important aspects of schooling,” Heikkila said about volunteering and helping organize the event. “Beyond having math and science, you need to let your creative side flourish and give these kids the chance to play an instrument. This show gives them the opportunity to do anything they want and show off their talents.”
“We have good arts here,” Laila Sales, director of the fine, performing and culinary arts department, said. “Not just the programs and departments, but we have some really talented students that may not be in art programs here but want to share their skills.”
Sales encouraged the students to take leadership over the event. Executive student director Jayden Harripersad, helped introduce the performers with humor alongside fellow master of ceremonies Maggie Haberstrah. The students helped each other on stage and behind the scenes, working backstage, marketing the event, or assisting with acts.
The evening of performances concluded with an act from Oswaldo Machado, a West Hempstead alumni who won the high school talent show in 2010.
