Grease, glamour and talent galore!
On Saturday evening, June 9 the Missisquoi North Volunteer Centre (CABMN) presented its Annual Youth Talent Show held at the Mansonville Elementary School. Featuring young talented performers ranging in ages from 4-17, some 60 youth participated in the show that attended by over 250 people (including volunteers). Hosted by two youth, Alexa Graham and Alexi Cote, the evening was a memorable one.
The show began with a tribute to Grease and the youth who first performed the musical through the CABMN youth program 25 years ago. Girls from the Saturday Dance program (including the children of some of the former cast performers), proudly sported poodle skirts, Pink Lady blouses and cool leather jackets as Danny and Sandy portrayed by Maeva Giroux and Aryane Bahl through a medley of hits, dances and dialogue brought back memories of a timeless love story.
The Pink Ladies (Alexis Eldridge, Emilie-anne Sherrer, Danika Robinson, Kayla Giroux, Amelia Jersey, Peyton Mcphee, Dakota Paige and Nora Webster) and the T-birds (Savannah Jersey, Kelly Ann Mcneil, Hunter Mcphee, Jasmine Mierzwinski and Valerie Pouliot) were crowd pleasers receiving a big round of applause for their efforts.
A variety of dance numbers ensued featuring boys from the weekly Thursday CABMN Boys Group, Friday Girls Group, Saturday Dance Group and the Drop-in group for older youth animated by Aleeyah Cervinka. A guest performance by “Beat Box” featuring youth representatives from the Excel Dance Program were welcomed and their performance much appreciated by the crowd.
Amidst the dance routines, 22 youth took part in a performance dedicated to volunteer Boxing instructor, Ethan Ball who animated a weekly boxing program at the youth centre throughout the year giving the youth an opportunity to exercise, focus, discipline their mind and body as well as learn about healthy eating habits. The boxing program equipment was purchased through RIVAL Boxing made possible by donations from the Belanger/bedard Foundation, Townshippers Foundation and a funding donation from the Petits Ziboux Day Care in Potton.
Presentations were made in recognition of Patricia Lachance, parent volunteer and long-time youth group participant in appreciation for her weekly assistance with the Saturday Dance Program. Other presentations were made to Aleeyah Cervinka, Maeva Giroux and Aryane Bahl, all youth who helped with the choreography and dance classes throughout the year. Youth Centre staff (Sarah Jersey, Eleanor Cote and Deborah Dimitruk) was thanked for their hard work and dedication to their jobs.
One needed only look at the evening’s program to realize how many volunteers are implicated in a show such as this. From the efforts of Jeremy Eldridge, who is the youth centre “jack of all trades” to the parents who prepared, donated and served desserts as well as those who tended the chairs, curtain, decorating and more….the “thank you” list is endless. Donations from Marche Richelieu help with photo developing from the local Familiprix pharmacy and so many numerous “little things,” all demonstrating the support for the youth of Potton, Bolton East and beyond.
Every youth is a singer, a dancer, an actor (tress), a speaker, a comedian, a teacher, an organizer… The effort a community makes to allow youth the opportunity to be seen, heard, acknowledged and appreciated speaks volumes. Potton has figured out the secret and it is much like the line from the movie, the Field of Dreams… “Build it and they will come,” or in this case, “Come and watch them build!”