GREC’S Got Talent!

Kate Turner | May 11, 2016

On May 5, Granite Ridge Education Centre held its annual talent show, GREC's Got Talent.

The auditorium was packed with parents and family waiting to see what the students had to offer this year, and they were not disappointed.

The room was abuzz when the pie auction started the evening. Auction numbers were raised to bid on cakes, pies and goodies donated by parents and students, with all proceeds going to the Grade 8 grad trip to Montreal. The top three cakes were auctioned off for $55 each.

The students were then introduced one at a time by emcees Tyee David and Leah Neumann. In the audience, you could pick out the parents as they sang along, followed the dance moves and focused intently on the stage, most likely after many evenings helping with practices.

Honey Wilson, who was one of the youngest performers at only six years old, bravely took the stage by herself and sang “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”.

Grade 12 student, Devon Scott, was one of the older students to show off his talent. He has been studying dance for nine years and left the audience awestruck with his stunning original dance routine.

Riley Merrigan covered George Jones' “He Stopped Loving Her Today” with a stage presence and voice of an old country soul. Riley told the audience about the importance of his guitar, which was custom-made by his uncle, who is now 88 years old.

The Young Choristers brought a calm beauty to the night, singing three First Nations songs, led by Lily Legacy-Zierer. First was Nissa, a song honouring Grandmother Moon, then a Cherokee Morning Song, and finally the Cedar Song.

The Vocal Ensemble showed a unique approach to rhythm and song, using their own and each other’s hands and bodies in perfect synchronization while singing the Pentatonix version of “White Winter Hymnal” by Fleet Foxes.

The evening was full of amazing vocalists and dance numbers that had the audience cheering and clapping. The show ended with a lovely cover of The Beatles’ “Hey Jude”, performed by various staff and Lukas Reynolds on bass.

The support of GREC staff members Kelly Caravan, Julia Schall and Kathy Reynolds could be seen throughout the evening. Ms. Caravan took to the stage with many of the students and Ms. Schall helped them remember their cues and kept the evening running smoothly. Shaun Savoie helped out by running the auction and then taking on the soundboard, focusing on helping the students shine, and they all did.

The evening raised $1,100 and undoubtedly next year will not fail to live up to this year’s entertainment standards.