Some 15 acts showcased the breadth of talent among students and teachers at Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) at a Talent Show, sponsored by the student ALS Alliance Club, Tuesday, April 12, in the school’s Performing Arts Center. The event benefited Project ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s Disease).
The Talent Show included student singers, musicians, dancers, rap artists and poets. A panel of students and teachers acted as judges. First Place, the singing trio of Juniors Veronica Mu of Warren, Hannah Melillo of Millington and Allison Horvath of Warren. They sang acapella, and in three-part harmony, the hit “Shake It Out,” originally performed by Florence and the Machine; Second Place, sophomore Neha Saju of Warren, reading her original poem, “Paper Soulmate;” and Third Place, junior Anthony Speros of Stirling, playing solo electric guitar and singing “Voodoo Child,” the classic song by Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Among the other highlights of the night was a presentation of “Alexander Hamilton,” the opening song of the current Broadway Musical, “Hamilton,” by Lin Manuel Miranda. Four WHRHS History teachers Rebecca Brown, Sean New, Ken Karnas and Greg O’Reilly, sang the song’s lead parts, with a host of students singing ensemble chorus parts. The ensemble included students: Adele Rotondo, Suchir Govindarajan, Krishti Bhaumik, Angela Celeste, Hannah Melillo, Rhiannon Barone, Allison Horvath, Nikhil Bhat, Eric Bautista, Justin Panzarino, John Ray, Gabe Peraza, Owen DiDonna, Jordan Reynolds, Shaun Parimoo, Ahena Nadim, Nicole Vila, Claire Vickery, Alex Terry, Emily Krouk, and Abby Watkins.
Other performances included: junior Filipa Pamol of Green Brook and freshman Angelina Cerano of Warren singing, “I Will Always Love You,” by Whitney Houston, written by Dolly (above) Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) History teachers, kneeling from left, Sean New, Ken Karnas, Greg O’Reilly, and Rebecca Brown, and, behind them, a cast of WHRHS student actor/singers, presented the opening number of “Hamilton,” at the Talent Show. Parton; the band, “No Fugazi,” featuring juniors David Kim on keyboards and lead vocals, and Natalie Kim of Warren on bass, sophomore Edward Cai of Watchung on guitar, and Owen DiDonna on drums, singing a medley of songs, “How Deep Is Your Love,” “Weight in Gold,” and “Tight Rope.”
Sophomore Cherlin Zhu of Warren playing on the flute, “Concertino,” by Cecile Chaminade; senior Justin Johnson, a native of Los Angeles, singing Rap songs, “Fade Me”/ “Change;” freshman Spencer Acciarito delivering an original stand-up comedy routine; senior Elizabeth Bard of Watchung playing “Lilium,” on the piano; senior Walter Benitez of Green Brook singing a Rap song, “Low Key; “ seniors Alicia Gupta of Watchung and Alisha Sahay of Green Brook performed ethnic dances from India; junior Colton Berry of Green Brook singing, “The Last Amazing Grays,” by Sonata Arctica; And English teachers Ira Horowitz on electric guitar, Kristin Mannion on vocals, and Mike Porter on acoustic guitar and vocals, singing “Stressed Out,” by Twenty-One Pilots. For an encore to close the Talent Show, they played, “Weather With You,” by Crowded House.
(above) Junior Anthony Speros of Stirling won third place honors, singing and playing electric guitar on a cover of “Voodoo Child,” by Stevie Ray Vaughan.
(above The Band, No Fugasi, featuring, from left, juniors Natalie Kim of Warren Township and David Kim of Millington, sophomore Edward Cai of Watchung and Owen DiDonna of Millington.
(above) Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) History teachers, kneeling from left, Sean New, Ken Karnas, Greg O’Reilly, and Rebecca Brown, and, behind them, a cast of WHRHS student actor/singers, presented the opening number of “Hamilton,” at the Talent Show.
