Talent abounds at Sullivan West

National Honor Society fundraiser offers array of musicianship and zany acts to audience’s delight

By RICHARD A. ROSS

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — Sullivan West never got the proposed swimming pool included in some of the original blueprints drawn up for the high school in Lake Huntington. But with a little imagination, helped along by two zany acts at this year’s National Honor Society talent show fundraiser on November 7, that pool appeared before the delighted eyes of the packed house audience.

As the curtain opened following the intermission, there in “the water” swam the lovely ladies of the girls basketball team in perfect synchronicity as they swam through their skit. Appearing above the waves in perfect timing moved a sea of arms, legs and heads adorned with bathing caps and goggles. The bathing beauties drew whistles and roars of delight from the audience who found the skit to be anything but dry.

The night’s closing act built on the swimming fantasy as swim-meet cheerleaders Eric Delaurencio and Julia Berger cheered and gesticulated for their waterlogged team with moves, spirit, real splashes of water and hilarious antics.

The annual talent show also featured an array of musicianship with the piano solos of April Scardino and Justin Maloney, who wowed the crowd with their keyboard mastery. Brian Calvet’s flute solo of Bach’s “Gavotte,” added a touch of the classical to a classic evening.

For those more attuned to rock sounds, there was Angelo Bibbo’s rendition of “Back in Black,” by AC/DC, and Tim Gorzynski wailing away on guitar, accompanied by guests Sean Murray on bass and Joe Murray on drums.

When it came to singing, the audience got to hear a sonorous array of songs and styles, including Catherine Peters’ rendition of “Strawberry Wine,” by Deena Carter, Jackie Peters’ guitar-augmented singing of “Time of Your Life” by Greenday, Corri Banks’ sweet vocals and Jennifer Leon’s stunning and clear sailing through the registers of “Think of Me,” from Phantom of the Opera.

Talent shows are all about stage presence, and none showed better audience command than Shawn Bailey in his singing and guitar-playing performance of “More Than Useless,” by Reliant K.

Summer Johansen’s original monologue rounded out the show with wit and style.

Moving the show along with camp, humor and class were this year’s senior emcees Randall Grimm, Lianne Ramdhany and Megan O’Keefe, who came out dressed in finery befitting Oscar night. Later, they changed clothes to take on a more relaxed look.

The show was organized by National Honor Society advisers Marlene Kinch and Pat Hawker.

Visit riverreporter.com for an album of pictures from the show.