Last week, Our OESJ Elementary school held a talent show for our students, and OESJ Staff member, Carlee Elwood, has been a major part of the show.
Last February was the first year since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic that we had the show, and are hoping to make this an annual event as it was such a staple at OESJ, and OE before the merger.
Talent shows aren’t just for students to showcase their talents, Elwood stated that performances give these students a chance to creatively express themselves in a way that we may have never known.
Elwood states that each performer/group auditions and performs, and then students are selected for the show. Students only have a few practices with Elwood to fine tune their performance.
Students can also volunteer to do backstage work. Elwood states that “it gives them a chance to see what goes into producing a show, builds team-working skills, and encourages them that everyone has an important role in the production”.
The Talent Show also gives the students in the younger grades something to look forward to as they reach the higher levels of elementary school. “We already have second graders planning their auditions for next year” Elwood states.
When discussing scenarios for students who might be scared to do this next year, Elwood states that “You have to try. Even if you don’t make it, you need to take the leap. This is your chance to have the spotlight on you”.