Palm Avenue Elementary Showcases Students Talent with Annual Talent Show

Parents, cousins, brothers, sisters, families, and community members from throughout San Bernardino recently gathered at Palm Avenue Elementary School to watch some of the community's youth showcase their talent. According to Candy Coffey, a second grade teacher who served as one of the talent show's coordinators, 150 people came out in support of the event. “It gets pretty packed every year… it’s an opportunity to come watch your kid and the overall youth to showcase their talent,” she said. The performances included a wide range of talents such as singing, dancing, hula-hooping, karate performances, piano, and even sibling acts. “There was a boy this year that did something I have never seen before,” Coffey shared. “He drew his favorite character of Sonic while music was playing in the background… it was a very good, unique performance.” The school holds a ‘try-out’ for the students wanting to participate in the show. “This year there was about 50 to 60 students who tried out and there ended up being 27 acts at the actual talent show,” Coffey said. The school staff chooses the acts that will perform in the show based on the preparedness and seriousness of the students within each act. At the end of the event, each student that performed in the show received a certificate of participation to recognize their hard work and the dedication put into their performance. Alongside Coffey were fourth grade teacher Bill Paule and fifth grade teacher Donna Stephonson, who were both instrumental in making the event happen. According to Coffey, she was mostly in charge of running the flyers, the organization of the program, and the paperwork behind the scenes. Stephonson was in charge of the set, stage, and decorations for the show. Paule took care of the instruments and equipment needed for the performances. “All the kids were very serious and passionate about their acts… everyone enjoyed it,” Coffey added.