Students entertain and win prizes at Gainesville PTO's talent show
Before the competition began last Thursday night in the Gainesville PTO's annual talent show, Gainesville School faculty and staff performed a zany dance as Gainesville Elementary principal Benjamin Hopper lip-synched Adam Sandler's song "Lunch Lady Land." From left: Ralena Roberts, Misty Souder (in chocolate pudding costume), Whitney Miller (liver and onions costume), Missy Rogers, Abby Britt (green bean costume), Renee Hambelton (pizza), Julie Vaught (chop suey), Nicole Wallace, Catrina Hawkins, Christina Midcap (Italian bread) and Brenda Frye (sloppy joe).
Gainesville PTO raised more than $2,000 Thursday night at the annual talent show that also included a baked-goods auction and 50-50 drawing along with an entertaining lineup of young performers ranging from kindergarten to 12th grade.
Before competitors took the stage, fifth grader Finn Wade started the event by playing the Star-Spangled Banner as a violin solo, and faculty and staff members entertained the crowd with a colorful performance of Adam Sandler's song, "Lunch Lady Land." Renee Hambelton served as emcee.
The Judges' Choice top prize went to 11th grader Colton Dunn, who played a medley of familiar songs by ear and without printed music.
Cash prizes were awarded in these grade-level categories:
Kindergarten-second grade: second-graders Ellie Gilmore and Kyndal Wall, first, gymnastics; second-grader Willie Meharg, second, line-dancing; and kindergartener Uriah Hopper, with help from his dad, Benjamin Hopper, third place for their pizza-eating challenge.
Third-fourth grades (all winners were third-graders): Trail Acklin and Weston Strain, first, singing; Rorie Miller, second, gymnastics; Ayva Gomez, cheer and gymnastics, tied for third with Harper Murphy, Maggie Roberts and Hudson Blackburn, performing "The Cup Song."
Fifth and sixth grades: sixth-graders Aylah Sandlin, Avianna Novak and Rowan McKay, first, dancing; Ainsley Luna, second, singing; Prentice Creed and Catherine Curtright, third, hula-hooping.
Junior high and high school: eighth-grader Jessica Suit, first, singing and guitar; 12th-grader Brady Myers and 10th-grader Kyden Myers, second, guitar, drums and vocals; eighth-grader Naveah Smart, third, singing.