Talent comes out for PTO show

Last Friday, over 100 people filled the multipurpose room at J.A. Wendt Elementary School for the first Parent Teacher Organization Talent Show.

Local students and adults wowed the crowd with songs, skits, dances and a martial arts presentation. Three judges, Sheriff Mark Howie, Jimmie Lou Cleveland and Mayor Dale Jacobson awarded first, second and third place finishes in two categories, one for the youngsters and another for middle school students up to adults. All participants went home with an award to acknowledge their participation.

"We did not think that we were going to have that many participants," PTO President Bobbie Gaines said. "We started out with 25 and wound up with 28 so I think we did pretty gosh darn good."

The PTO is hoping to make enough money from events like this one, as well as from their movie nights and Popcorn Fridays to fix the colored lights on the stage, buy new spotlights and microphones and purchase a new movie screen for the elementary school.

The PTO broke even with the talent show, but Gaines considers the event a positive learning experience.

"Next time we'll know exactly how much we need," she said.

The PTO plans to hold more events like these in hopes of getting the community involved in the school.

"It's not necessarily all about the fundraising," Gaines said, but more about bringing parents, families and teachers together."

Israel Velke took first place for his martial arts performance. Second place went to Mahayla West for a dance performance, and third went to Leah Barnett for her performance of "The Reindeer Song" from "Frozen."

For middle school and up, first place went to Donna Lewis for singing and playing an original song on the piano. Second place went to Sophie Forsberg-Crotty who sang "Blown Away," and third place went to sisters Shanna and Sierra Batdorf who sang "Count Me In."