News

U-46 schools to compete in TalentFest at Hemmens

Posted March 14, 2011 12:00 am

By Jameel Naqvi

Elgin High School students Jonathon Gonzalez and Kilbert Rivera, above, perform “Homemade Music,” a percussion act, at Elgin High's talent show last week. They will perform at TalentFest March 15. At left, A group of more than 30 students at South Elgin High School will perform the tinikling, the national dance of the Philippines. In the foreground practicing are Richard Robinson and Arantxa Bautista, members of the dance group. Courtesy of David Tonge

Awards season may be over for the rest of the country, but for Elgin-area schools, there are a few more prizes to hand out.

Elgin Area School District U-46 is holding its first TalentFest at 7 p.m. today, March 15, at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin.

The event features top acts selected from each of U-46's five high schools: Elgin, Larkin, Streamwood, Bartlett and South Elgin.

Ten competitors — with acts ranging from drama to hip-hop — will vie for cash prizes and a traveling trophy that will be on display at the winning school.

“We were kind of concerned we were going to get a lot of singers,” said Jeff Grosser, who organized TalentFest. “I've been surprised and pleased by the kind of variety the show's going to have.”

A panel of judges, including Superintendent Jose Torres and 16th Circuit Judge F. Keith Brown, will evaluate the talented teenagers. But your vote will also count, which is why it is important to show up and support your school.

Tickets are still available for $5 at the Hemmens box office, hemmens.org or by phone at (847) 931-5900. You can buy tickets at the door; the event is not expected to sell out.

Grosser says he hopes to make TalentFest an annual affair.

Here are the competitors:

• Larkin High School: “La Quebradita” is a dance act featuring Efrain Nava, a senior, and Mayra Solis. Four Larkin students will present a scene from “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” They are Paulina Nava, Clee McKracken, Maggie Koch and Katrina Syrris, all seniors.

• Streamwood High School: Joey Splinter, a sophomore, will perform a hip-hop song. Juniors Stephanie Farsalas, Tom Aparici and Nick McGuiggan will perform the song “Oh Darling.”

• Elgin High School: Sophomore Jonathon Gonzalez and Kilbert Rivera, a junior, will perform “Homemade Music,” a percussion act. Boombox Keez, a hip-hop act, features Brian Gonzalez, Jembone Champa, Jose Mendoza and Odge Arroyo, sophomores; with Ethan Magsombol and Gerardo Gutierrez, both freshmen.

• South Elgin High School: A group of 32 students will perform the tinikling, the national dance of the Philippines. Federico Eduardo Palacios, a senior, and Judith Palma, a freshman, will also perform.

• Bartlett High School: Ally Wiebel, a senior from Elgin, will perform “You're Not Alone,” an original song about a friend who has cancer. Marc Jaynes, a junior from Bartlett, will perform a yo-yo routine.

Larkin High School senior Paulina Nava in a scene from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. The piece also features Clee McKracken, Maggie Koch and Katrina Syrris, all seniors. Photo courtesy of David Tonge

Boombox Keez is a hip hop act from Elgin High School featuring <B>Brian Gonzalez, Jembone Champa, Jose Mendoza and Odge Arroyo, sophomores; with Ethan Magsombol and Gerardo Gutierrez, both freshmen.</B> Photo courtesy of David Tonge

Sophomore Joey Splinter performs an original rap song at the Streamwood High School talent show. Photo courtesy of David Tonge

Larkin High School senior Efrain Nava and his dance partner, Mayra Solis of Hoffman Estates, will represent Larkin at the Elgin Area School District U-46 TalentFest at The Hemmens Tuesday. Photo courtesy of David Tonge

A group of more than 30 students at South Elgin High School will perform the tinikling, the national dance of the Philippines. In the foreground practicing are Richard Robinson and Arantxa Bautista, members of the dance group. Photo courtesy of David Tonge

Stephanie Farsalas, Tom Aparici and Nick McGuiggan, above, are all juniors from Streamwood High School. The trio will perform Oh Darling at TalentFest Tuesday at The Hemmens in Elgin. Photos courtesy of David Tonge

South Elgin High School students Federico Eduardo Palacios, a senior, and freshman Judith Palma practice for TalentFest. Photo courtesy of David Tonge

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