TF students shine in annual variety show

Variety is what describes the talent show presented this year at the annual Thompson Falls Elementary Show. From kindergarteners to teachers, the show had plenty of performers to entertain the audience of peers, coworkers and family. Performers auditioned for a spot in the show with music teacher Lisa Mickelson.

The show began with Paraprofessional Lacey Scharfe on the piano. She was followed by the Junior High Band Ensemble performing "Feel it Still" by Portugal the Man. They were dressed in Hawaiian Christmas themed costumes to start off the lively and colorful event. The show was hosted by seventh grader Toby Susic who not only introduced the acts but entertained the audience with his jokes.

Young dancer Kindergartener Cayden Lentz wowed the audience with his interpretation of "The Spectre" by Alan Walker. His movements were fast but controlled. Other dancers were first graders Ida Berger, Sage Blakney, and Reese Friede. They danced together in their rendition of "Mother Like You" by JJ Heller. The trio had matching tutus that glistened on stage creating a sparkling spectacle of their well rehearsed performance. Elli Nicols, also in the first grade, performed on the slide whistle her own little musical ditty of entertainment.

Second grade performances included soloist Elliya McGuire singing "Top of the World" by Shawn Mendez along with two other duets by Aspen Lea and Anna Czerwinski singing "Count On Me' and Conrad Susic and Daniel Berger performing a fishing parody of a love song. The boys embellished their act with fishing poles and stuffed paper fish, creating a chuckle from the audience, as Conrad's little brother helped his mom place the fish on the poles from down in front of the stage.

The third grade had a variety of performances as well. Ollie Scharfe sang "When I'm Older" from Disneys' movie Frozen. A classic duet of "You Are My Sunshine" was performed by Ariella Contreras and Neala Block accompanied by Mickelson on guitar. Mason Mickelson performed Amazing Grace on the recorder. "I was a little nervous and Neala was nervous, too," Contreras said, after their performance.

Kalsin McGuire performed "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" on the piano, while Quinn Nichols recited her own original poetry. Both girls added unique talent to the show as the fourth grade performers.

Three fifth grade performances added more variety as Nolan Wilkes played a saxophone jam, Christopher Toyias played "Super Mario Brothers Theme" on the handbells, and Jack Mason along with Maiko Pavlik performed a uniquely dramatic Odyssey song, "Luck Runs Out" in period costumes for special effects.

Musical sophistication continued with sixth graders Emmalynn Roofener and Kyleigh Ruen. Roofener performed "Air from Rinaldo" on her violin and Ruen tickled the ivories with "Married Life" from Disney's movie Up on the piano.

Junior high solo artist Allan McGann performed the only seventh grade act on his guitar. He played an electric rendition of "Seven Nation Army" by Whitesnake. Like the other performers, McGann presented himself with professionalism and poise.

The variety show could not end without a classic Kindergarten performance by Amber Yates' class, and a climactic surprise from Yates herself. The soon-to-be-first graders sang a celebratory moving-on song. This year's song was a "Summer Lovin' " parody from the movie Grease. Students decked out in classic 1958 style costumes sang their own version of the iconic song to commemorate the occasion.

To end the show, Yates took the stage to perform "I Need a Hero" by Bonnie Tyler. True to form, Yates bedazzled the audience in her Fairy Godmother styled costume of red dress and purple wig. During her performance Yates left the stage to walk among the audience on the floor. With her own flair for the dramatic, her character gave a special ending to this year's variety show and the school year.