Students, alumni show Kendall’s ‘Got Talent’

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 1 April 2017 at 9:44 am

Photos by Kristina Gabalski

KENDALL – Katie Driesel and Kaitlyn Curtis, both members of the Class of 2008 who are now teachers at Kendall Central, sing “For Good” from Wicked.

After taking a year off, Kendall’s Got Talent returned to the Jr./Sr. High Auditorium Friday night with a mix of Elementary (Grades 3-6), Jr./Sr. High School (Grades 7-12) and Alumni acts. The evening was sponsored by AFS and the Class of 2020.

AFS advisor Mirjam Bauer, who was herself an exchange student from Holland, and who decided to move to the United States following her experience, said AFS promotes, “cultural diversity through the exchange of students.”

She explained that the annual talent show had been a big deal in Kendall for many years, but took a break last year when participants said they struggled with the judging.

This year’s contest featured what Bauer called, “non-traditional judging,” with several acts honored from both divisions.

Ayla Huff, a member of the Class of 2012, performs the song, “Issues.”

Winners of the Elementary Acts Star Quality Performance Award went to “Twin Trumpets” Hannah and Ben Brundage, who performed a trumpet duet.

The Elementary Acts Most Creative Performance Award went to the members of the Glow Stick Crew – Jonny Conte, Nicholas Cole, Aidan Kwaitkowski, Brooke Rodas, and Brandon Barrett. The group were crowd pleasers with their dancing routine.

Leigha Zugehoer sings as part of the Elementary Acts portion of the show.

Kiersten Rodas performs “Hallelujah” on the piano during the Jr./Sr. High portion of the show.

Sarah Knapp and Ryan Barrett received the Out of This World Performance Award in the Jr./Sr. High Act portion of the show. They performed the song, “Dear Happy.” In the Elementary Acts portion of the show, Paige Hardenbrook won the Out of This World Award for her dance.