Tamara De LosReyes, a Wenatchee High School graduate with Glycogen Storage Disease, is the beneficiary of this year’s Janice Franz Talent Show.

Auditions took place Feb. 5-7 in preparation for the three-day event, Feb. 26-28. Tickets will be $8 at the door with the show starting at 7 p.m. each night.

“It is a tremendous honor to have the opportunity to support someone in a lot of need,” said Mary Rowles, senior ASB activity coordinator. All proceeds from the talent show will go to De LosReyes’s family for her recovery.

When asked what struggles De LosReyes is currently undergoing, Rowles says that she is in need of a new heart and liver due to her deteriorating condition. GSD is basically the opposite of having diabetes; her body is lacking vital supplies of glucose and has very low blood sugar. This condition has caused De LosReyes countless struggles. Her liver has swollen to five times the size of the average human’s liver. This enlargement has in turn caused her a heart condition that is dangerous. She cannot eat any type of sugars, dairy, or protein, and was only allowed to eat cornstarch from a very young age.

This sickness has claimed many aspects of De LosReyes’s life. When Tamara was 15 she had to drop out of school because of ongoing seizures and the limitations of her condition. She has made countless trips in and out of the hospital. It is critical for her to receive a new heart and liver in the near future. Being a former WHS student and the only nominee for this year’s show (whereas there was five last year) the beneficiary position was given to her.

As for the talent part of the show, Rowles is pleased, noting several musical and dance numbers appear exceptional.

“I am constantly amazed at the talent here in this school,” Rowles said.

The talent emerging from this year’s show is outstanding, sophomore Silas Abbott said.

“How much you get out of the show is all determined about how much practice you put into it,” said Abbott, who participated in two different acts in last year’s show. “It’s an honor to be able to help someone in so much need by doing what I like to do.”

Rowles said that this is the second year in a row that there has been no teacher acts in the show. She added she’s hopeful of future participation of staff members.