By Jessi Shidler,
of the Rebel Yeller
and special to the ShowMe Times

ESSEX, Mo. - Richland High School music teacher Amber Duley recently resurrected an old school tradition - the Talent Show for students and faculty.

The show featured plenty of dancing, singing, music-making, sign language, and hilarious acts. Parents, grandparents, teachers, and students came to watch their friends or family in the talent show.

The Richland band paid for a light setting to make the show more professional. After expenses, the Richland band made $1,000 toward band and music equipment. Two days before the talent show, the music department keyboard had stopped working. That is one of the things on the list of things to replace with the profits.

Some of the acts included Saturday Night Live acts by Richland staff members, percussion assembles, dance-offs, and lots of singing!

“I could not have been more pleased with the outcome of the talent show!” says Duley, “Everything ran so smoothly, more so than I expected, which is due to the efforts of backstage personnel, including Mrs. Monroe, Mrs. Rhodes, Mallory Hillis, and many other teachers, parents, and students. The audience turnout was also fantastic and beyond my expectations!”

Duley is bringing back the tradition of hosting a talent show every year for the community and school. Everyone had a ball and enjoyed watching the fun and talent.

“I have received comments and congratulations too numerous to count in regards to the talent show,” says Duley. “My Facebook page is overflowing with positive feedback! I am so grateful for all the kind words and support from everyone in the entire school district and surrounding communities. I can’t wait for next year!”

Speaking of next year, the band is planning to use the gym in a graduation-style set up, for more room and better viewing. They will utilize both sets of bleachers and sell in advance floor seats in front of the stage. Next year, they will also have the talent show on a Friday, or any day when there is not school following.

The band is in the process of making a DVD-ROM of all the performances from the talent show. They will be selling them for $10 each.