Talent show provides students a stage on which to shine
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The talent show is the Black History Club’s biggest fund-raiser, said club sponsor and high school grade level principal Jeff Martin. Its proceeds are used to finance a trip for club members to Memphis where they will be able to learn more about the Civil Rights movement, including the activities of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The trip, scheduled for June, will specifically include a trip to the Civil Rights Museum, which is located in the old Lorraine Motel where Dr. King was assassinated in 1968.
Serving as MC will be comedian T.C. Cope, who has been the host in previous years. Though he was born near New York City, Cope was raised in McMinnville and has performed at colleges and in clubs across the country, including Nashville where he has hosted his own comedy night for the past four years. Over the years, he was worked with such comedians as Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer, Bernie Mac, D.L. Hughley, Tommy Davidson and George Wallace.
Club treasurer Brian Terry said dominating this year’s talent show will be musical acts, including rock, rap, pop and country. In all, 16 acts are scheduled. This number has been narrowed down from the 25 or so who auditioned. Terry said he wishes everybody who auditioned could be included, but time constraints force the club to choose only the top performers.
Judging the talent show contestants will be four community members. The contestants will be judged on their stage presence, technical skills, creativity and overall performance. Monetary prizes will be given for the top three finishers, while the top 10 finishers will have the chance to perform for the school’s student body Monday.
Organizers have announced Friday night’s talent show will also feature a tribute to Deanna Grayson, a high school student and Pioneerette who died earlier this school year from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. During this time Daniel Day, who graduated from the school last year, will sing a song he wrote about losing a loved one.
The talent show will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the high school auditorium. It should last between one-and-a-half and two hours, which includes an intermission with refreshments in the school’s commons area. Tickets can be purchased for $5 at the school during its lunch periods or by calling Martin at 668-5935. Tickets may also be purchased at the door for $6.
Martin said the club hopes to fill every one of the school auditorium’s 400 plus seats. “The talent show promises to provide a great night of entertainment. We invite everyone to come out and support the Black History Club,” he said.