Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – The Kiwanis Club’s 55th annual Talent Revue was filled with exciting performances from 14 acts ranging in age from elementary to college students.
This year the Presque Isle Middle School auditorium stage served as the center of activity on Jan. 27, as performers and well-wishers gathered for the festivities.
“This has been a wonderful partnership with the school system over the years that has allowed the Kiwanis Club to hold the student-oriented revue at their facilities and, in turn, the Kiwanis has helped to purchase needed equipment and supplies for educational programs,” said Craig Green, speaking on behalf of the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club.
Proceeds from the show go to the Children’s Health and Dental Clinic which, according to Green, has put over $106,000 back into the school system by helping students who are identified by a teacher or the school nurse to need some type of care.
Green served as master of ceremonies once again this year, announcing the wide range of acts that encompassed everything from singing and piano acts, to lyrical dance, clogging and belly dancing.
Youth in four categories performed to a nearly full house.
Participants in the elementary school division for grades 1 through 5 included: Hillary Hartsgrove, Alannah Orcutt, Kelsey Gilson and Hannah Quinn, Arianna Forbes, Angela Hallowell and Allison Jimenez. Taking part in the grades 6 through 8 middle school category were: Jenice Jarvis; Jesse Lucas and Brittani Rynold; Moondance Star Cloggers – Alecia da Cruz, Brooke Dinatale, Chelsea Simonds, Erica Hemphill, Jenice Jarvis, Shayna da Cruz, Samantha Simonds, Sara Gilson and Sara McEachern; and Alisha Murray. Taking part from grades 9 through 12 were: Shayna da Cruz, Maddasin Willette and Shauna Johnston. Rounding out the night’s competitors, in the college-age division were: Katy Lint, Kelly Smith, Sarah Gorneault and Theresa Lint.
Winner in the elementary division was Alannah Orcutt who sang for her talent. Second place went to Hannah Quinn and Kelsey Gilson for their clogging routine.
The middle school category saw Moondance Star Cloggers taking top honors, with Jenice Jarvais singing her way to second place.
High school student Shayna da Cruz danced her way to the top honor in her division, with Shauna Johnston taking second place with her dance routine.
The college category found Katy Lint, Theresa Lint, Sarah Gorneault and Kelly Smith winning for their belly dancing routine.
“That was exceptionally entertaining,” said Green.
The Presque Isle Middle School cheerleaders also provided entertainment, performing a cheering routine during intermission.
“The cheerleaders did the same routine that recently won the regional competition,” added Green.
Diane Green, the local PI Kiwanis president, described to the audience the many projects the club undertakes each year.
“The Kiwanis Club raises and spends about $46,000 each year here in Presque Isle,” explained Green.
According to Green, the largest project the club undertakes is the Home, Garden and Recreation Show held each April at the Forum, raising over $100,000 after expenses during its nearly 30 years of existence.
Judging this year’s performances were Lara Cannon, Penny McHatten and Linda Smith – all of whom brought very diverse artistic abilities to the decision process, during what was, in the words of Jan Kok, the show’s veteran producer of 54 years, “One of the closest contests for judging that we have had in a while.”
“As it has for 54 years previously, the show closed with the participants and attendees all singing ‘America the Beautiful,’ while accompanied by Mr. Kok on the piano,” said Green.
Plans are already under way for next year’s event.
