The Interact Club’s annual talent show was a showcase of the school’s musical abilities
Stephen Finn
The Sun
At Cinnaminson High School Interact Club’s 10th annual talent show on Thursday, Jan. 17, students showed off some serious musical chops. Almost every act of the night involved an instrumental or vocal performance of some kind.
“I think it showcases what a wonderful music program we have,” said Interact Co-Advisor Kathleen Hennelly.
Parents and fellow students who made it out to the school’s auditorium Thursday night were treated to a wide range of musical performances. In a first for the annual talent show, a house band was added to the bill to keep the music going in between the main performances.
The band 3 a.m. Thoughts, consisting of students Matt Drinkard, Brandon Rohn and Liv Rozenberg, performed as a competing act at last year’s show and returned this year to offer their services as a house band.
“We’re just hoping people have fun, we’re going to have fun because we’re doing what we love, music,” said Rozenberg as they prepared for the show.
In addition to playing drums for the house band, Drinkard was also performing a unique act as a competitor in the show. His baritone saxophone solo, something he had been piecing together for some time, was one of the more memorable acts of the night.
“I’ve been working on little snippets of it for about six months, but I really just put everything together a few days ago for the talent show,” said Drinkard before his performance. “I want to make sure the crowd gets the show they want. I know they want to enjoy it and I want to help them.”
Luke Perkins’ comedy monologue was the only performance of the night that deviated, at least in part, from the musical acts that dominated the proceedings. The latter half of his act did consist of a comedic musical number reminiscent of the movie “Inside Out,” as he split into two characters representing his right and left brain in a battle for domination.
Perkins won third place for his comedy at last year’s show and came back this year with a new set. Perkins draws influence from notable comics like Bo Burnham, John Candy and George Carlin. He describes his act as a combination of traditional stand up and comedy songs.
“I like to be out there, I like grabbing the audience’s’ attention,” said Perkins. “I hope to make people laugh, have a good night and see where it gets me.”
Senior and Interact Club president Martina Morrell oversaw judging for night, counting the judges’ scorecards for each act.
“The talent show is one of the biggest events for the club. We plan for it up to this point and try to corral all of the acts. It’s exciting because you know it’s going to lead up to something super awesome and it’s for a good cause too,” said Morrell.
The proceeds from the night’s ticket sales benefitted Shelterbox Disaster Relief and Red Cross for Camp Fire Victims.
“The Shelterbox is $1,000 and anything over that we’re going to send to the California wildfire victims,” said Morrell.
According to Hennelly, the talent show raised $1,400 by the end of the night, so both charities will benefit from the efforts.
“I feel good that I know the money is going to something very useful,” said Hennelly.
At the end of the night, sophomore, and newcomer to Cinnaminson High School, John Dowling’s sincere piano and vocal performance captured the audience’s hearts and earned him the $50 first-place prize. He was followed by vocal trio Isabel Bramhall, Maggie Harbord and Eileen Yizzi, who placed second, and Drinkard took home third for his saxophone solo.
