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Rochester Red Cross “Youth Style” Talent Show and Dance
Youth Volunteers from the Greater Rochester Red Cross Chapter went Hollywood to Raise Money for Disaster Relief
Sheryl Karch, Special to RedCross.org
Monday, April 17, 2006 — The American Red Cross in Rochester, N.Y., wrapped up the month-long celebration of “March is Red Cross Month” with a night of youthful excitement, entertainment, eclectic music and dancing.
Ashley Ortiz of Wilson High School and Marianela Rodriguez from the School of the Arts preformed a dance to “Burn it Up,” winning first place in the Greater Rochester Chapter's youth talent show.
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Kiniesha Randle and Tashayna Singletary from Wilson High School performed the poem “Phenomenal Women” by Maya Angelou, placing second in the competition among Red Cross youth volunteers.
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On March 25, 75 middle and high school students from the Greater Rochester Chapter’s Youth Leadership Development Programs, which include the Greater Rochester Red Cross Hispanic and Black Youth Leadership Development Program and Generation Give Back, hosted a talent show competition and dance extravaganza.
Full-color posters of the latest movies and movie stars covered the walls as colored strobe lights flashed and Latin and Hip Hop music filled the room. More than 200 friends and family members anxiously waited for the competition to start so they could cheer on the young contestants.
The wait wasn’t too long; one of the chapter’s youth volunteers dressed in a black tuxedo and red vest appeared on the stage introducing himself as Aaron “Atlas” Thompson and reminding the audience why they were there – to see talented young performers and to raise money for the Rochester Chapter’s local disaster relief fund during Red Cross Month. Atlas asked the audience to hold onto their seats as the show got underway.
Andre Stewart, Javier Rodriguez, Nino Santana and Xavier Torres from the School of the Arts came in third in the talent show, entertaining the crowd with a salsa mix.
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Students from the Greater Rochester Red Cross Youth Leadership Development Programs practiced for weeks along with their friends for this moment of in the spotlight. Chapter CEO John Buttrill, Assistant Executive Director Nancy Chesterton, Youth Leadership Development Assistant Director Liz Cinquino and other staff from the chapter and leadership programs were on hand to cheer for these performers.
More than 30 adult Red Cross volunteers – who serve as mentors, workshop facilitators and advisory committee members to the leadership programs – coached and encouraged student contestants. They also sold refreshments, collected tickets at the door and snapped pictures on request from student groups and families.
As the music swelled, the tension in the room rose and the performances began. A variety of modern, Latin and Reggaeton dance pairs and groups took the stage, each in turn. Two young ladies recited a Maya Angelou poem, “Phenomenal Woman” with feeling and style. Two brothers, ages 7 and 11, sang a gospel song with a CD as background accompaniment. A student quartet played a lively Salsa tune to a hand-clapping, toe tapping audience.
Leo Dondiz, Rose Mary Villarubia-Izzo, Miguel Velazquez and Wanda Droz are just a few of the committee members and volunteers who worked with the chapter’s youth to make this talent show event a success.
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The grand finale was a fashion show organized and planned by the students themselves, featuring school, casual, sports and night-out-on-the-town outfits from their own closets and presented accompanied by their favorite music selections. The fashion show enabled all students from both programs to participate – even those who weren’t comfortable performing.
The suspense was high as the judging panel rated each performance and announced the final winners. Trophies and medals were presented to the student performers by Red Cross leadership program volunteers. A lively dance session followed with a mix of Latin and Hip Hop music that students and adults danced and sang to.
As the evening came to a close, tired but happy students and adults left this Red Cross event knowing they had done their best, raising a remarkable $2,025 for their chapter and their community.
Sheryl Karch is the Director for the Office of Volunteers with the Greater Rochester Chapter of the American Red Cross in New York.
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