It was an exciting night filled with youthful charm and talent at Catharine Blaine School on March 15, as students put on their annual variety show. The school cafeteria was packed with kids, families and fans who came to cheer on these budding stars.
To start off the night, a group of eighth-grade girls choreographed a rendition of *NSYNC's "Here We Go." Even their appearance mirrored the former boy band from the '80s, as the girls wore long basketball shorts, T-shirts and baseball hats.
Next on stage came a large group of second grade girls wearing handkerchiefs on their heads and rolled up pants, imitating the orphan girls from the popular musical "Annie." Together the students sang their version of "Hard Knock Life" to the amusement of the audience.
Some fifth-graders showed off their rapping skills with lyrics they wrote themselves, entitled "Bazooka Bubble Gum." Other students demonstrated they could rap as well, as Zane Bickham and Calvin Rogers performed their "Unnamed Rap!!" complete with beatbox sound effects. Camaira Metz proved her skills in her solo "Rapper's Delight."
"$oundmaster $am" and his "posse" rapped "My Bus," a spoof of a popular Black Eyed Peas song. The song was a humorous story of the middle-school students' ski bus experiences.
A trio of fourth-grade students-wearing suspenders, high-water pants, bright-colored ties and long striped socks-sang "White and Nerdy", a parody originally done by "Weird Al" Yankovic of another popular song. To close this portion of the show, Marianne Scurlock, a fifth-grade teacher, rounded out the rap sessions with her take on education: "If you aren't learnin', you won't be earnin'."
There were a few more dances by young elementary students, including "Getcha Head in the Game" from the recently popular "High School Musical." The audience clapped along when two early elementary students performed an "Irish Dance and Ballet." One did a jig and the other performed ballet around the stage.
Some students braved solos, including fifth-grader Maleah Metz, fourth-grader Tyler Maez and eighth-grader Daron Mackie. Metz gave her version of "Chemicals React" and Maez charmed the crowd with "The Beauty in Ugly" (from the TV show Ugly Betty). Mackie sang a song she wrote herself, titled "Neverland," and fellow eighth-grader Natalie Gellos provided accompanying music on the piano.
Two second-grade girls paid another tribute to Annie with the song "Tomorrow." In line with tributes, three third-grade girls performed "Greased Lightning," conjuring up memories of the hit musical "Grease." The trio brought out a cardboard '50s-style car toward the end of their song, much to the crowd's delight. The car had some difficulties staying up, but was entertaining nonetheless.
In addition to solos, raps and dance routines, a variety show wouldn't be complete without a few middle-school student rock bands. Performing original creations, mixed sixth-, 7seventh- and eighth-grade bands Forks and Lasers, My Ultimatum, Purple Tongue and Unofficial Pocket Change exemplified their musical talents.
Taking a step away from music, Jack Whipple and Sam Godon humored the crowd with their comedy sketch "Will it Blend?" The pair, dressed up in white lab coats and lab goggles, tested whether certain substances and materials would blend, in an actual blender. In went a Britney Spears CD as the boys concluded, "Yes, it blends."
Next were two DVDs of High School Musical, and once again, "Yes, it blends." Finally, they blended a cheeseburger, fries and soda, which also blended. McDonald's smoothie anyone?
Of course, the night wouldn't be complete without the hard work of the emcee, along with the sound and lighting crew. Seventh-grader Melinda Bunnage, one of the co-emcees, said her job was "really cool," adding that her favorite part was "introducing friends." Ian Foster, a sixth-grader on the sound and lighting crew, claimed their work is "stressful."
Naturally, there were many more volunteers involved in making the variety show an entertaining event. Particular credit should go to fifth-grade teacher Lisa Duke for coordinating the event.
The Blaine Variety has become a great opportunity for students to showcase their talents, and also allow them to have fun and entertain their peers, families and the community. Encore!
>Ashley Marshall, a Magnolia resident, is a freelance reporter covering the school news beat for the Magnolia News. She can be reached at mageditor@nwlink.com.[[In-content Ad]]
