By Claire Frank
The sophomore class held Tuscarora’s second annual talent show, Tuscarora’s Got Talent, on Tuesday, November 26, 2013 during first period FLEX in the auditorium.
Hosted by junior Luiz Taifas and biology teacher Mr. Connelly, the show consisted of ten acts and a finale performed by all of the participants.
The only non-singing performance was a magic show performed by last year’s Mr. Tuscarora, junior Ryan Phillips. “Ryan the Magician” was accompanied by his assistant and fellow junior Adara Hotaling.
Crowd favorites included sophomore Jamie Chica singing “Up to the Mountain” by Patty Griffin while accompanied by junior Stephen Coakley on the piano; Coakley and his cover of “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen; Phillips’ magic show; and a performance of Earth, Wind, & Fire’s “Let’s Groove” by the Acafellas, an all-male acapella group. The crowd screamed and clapped along to the performances.
“[The show] was full of a lot of amazing singers,” said senior Christina Kostka. “I especially enjoyed the Acafellas and the magic show not only because they were particularly awesome but because they were unique.”
Students from all grade levels came out to support their friends and classmates. Tickets were sold during advisory for $2 or $1 and a canned food item.
Other performances included acoustic covers, such as senior Katie Parcelli’s rendition of “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman, senior Margaret Knapp’s version of White Buffalo’s “Wish It Were True,” and “Royals” by Lorde was performed by seniors Illian Burgos and Gabby Evidente. Freshman Brittany Griffin, sang Adele’s “Someone Like You” a capella, sophomore Cierra Marco sang “Quiet” by Natalie Weiss, and freshman Haley Costello sang Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy.”
The Acafellas closed the show with a rendition of “No Interruption” by Hoodie Allen while the other contestants sang and danced along in the background. The performance was cut short by the bell.
“I was really surprised at how many people in our school are so talented,” said Kostka.
