Talent show brings in nearly $12,000 for family in need

Approximately 1,400 people attended the 18th annual Janice Franz Talent Show, raising a total of $11,367 for the Ventura family Feb. 25-27.

The show also included its first silent auction. According to ASB Activities Coordinator, Claire Goveia, the auction was “going pretty well.”

The money will go to the family of beneficiary Ana Ventura, a 17-year-old WestSide High School student who passed away Dec. 26, leaving her 2-year-old daughter, Jocelyn Melendez, behind. Ventura was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor last year and after an emergency surgery to remove the tumor, infection set in and caused her death. The goal of this year’s show was to raise enough money to pay for the medical expenses and start a college fund for Melendez.

See photos from the final dress rehearsal.

The show featured several singing and dancing acts, a piano performance, and a poem read by Wenatchee High School English teachers Dave Riggs and Brian Higgins. Senior Matt Terry performed in five acts, including one with Ashley Techavimol and Mirsa Cassiano’s performance of “Take Me Or Leave Me” from the musical Rent. Those not familiar with the plot of the musical were a little surprised by the ending when Terry ran offstage with a boy. “Acting as a gay person was interesting…but fun,” Terry said.

“There were some hiccups but that always happens the first show but it went pretty well by my standards,” Goveia said.

The second night also required some last-minute changes. One change was when senior Kimberly Robles lost her voice and her act with senior Olivia Passmore had to be switched shortly before going on stage. “Bear with us, we learned this song about a half-hour ago,” Passmore told the audience. The girls performed “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bon Iver with Passmore on vocals and ukulele and Robles on guitar. Despite having little practice with the song, the duo left the stage to tumultuous applause.

Other technical difficulties were smoothed over by a few jokes and some impromptu dance moves courtesy of freshmen Aiden Hawes. It turned out that choir teacher Dawn McCormick was pulled over shortly before her performance, causing her to be late. Hawes performed one act early to fill the gap while McCormick and her daughter, Tessa, got ready to sing “Mama’s Broken Heart” by Miranda Lambert.

One of the biggest hits of the show was junior Silas Abbott’s improv piano solo. Silas has been playing piano ever since his aunt encouraged him to around age 5. “I really love playing piano, especially with other people,” Abbott said. Although he has performed plenty of times, Abbott says he experiences nerves that build up before he performs. “Before I start, I have to figure out what key I’m in. I over think that”.

Overall, the show accomplished its main goals: to entertain, showcase the hidden talents in our school, and help a family in need. Hopefully, with some of the financial burden lifted, this tough time will be just a little easier for Ventura’s family.