Publications & Sites 
Western Springs students take the stage for annual talent show
Jayne Mikulski of Western Springs gives some pointers to Mya Rafferty and her group of ancers about performing in the Forest Hills' talent show. | Steve Johnston~for Sun-Times Media
Article Extras
Updated: March 15, 2013 11:21AM
WESTERN SPRINGS — Audrey Reynolds admitted to being a bit scared about performing in the Feb. 12-13 student talent show.
The 6-year-old first-grader’s piano performance was one of 30 acts, which were divided evenly between the two days of shows at Forest Hills Elementary.
“You have a lot of fun when you’re in the talent show, and it makes you nervous and excited,” Audrey said while taking part in a rehearsal. “It’s sort of scary because a lot of people are looking at you. I’m afraid people might laugh. I did ballet before in a different show when I was 3, but this is the first time I’m in the school talent show.”
The Forest Hills talent show is open to all students in the first through fifth grade.
“The main thing we want for all of the kids in the show is for them to have fun,” said Lucian Blaga, a parent who coordinated the 2013 talent show for the third consecutive year.
Coordinating the show continues to put a smile on the face of Blaga’s face.
Also a piano teacher, Blaga loves to see students get involved and perform for fellow students, teachers and parents.
“A lot of the performances are solo, but there are some groups of students together; about 50 total students performed this year,” Blaga said. “It’s a great opportunity for some of the students here to perform. They are very talented.”
Blaga said he believes performing in the talent show is great for helping students to develop self-confidence.
“They have fun with the performances, and it’s interesting to see how they improve each year,” he said.
Fourth-graders Morgan Kearney, Ava Smith, Ryan Tiernan, Joelle Szumski and Mya Rafferty teamed up for a dance routine performance Feb. 12. Morgan, Ava, and Ryan also shared the stage a year ago in the talent show. They took a step up this year by choreographing their own dance routine.
“We call came up with our own part and put them together,” Morgan said. “It’s fun to be in the show.”
Ava and Morgan said they have been in the talent show since first grade. As fifth-graders a year from now, the 2014 will be their last.
“We’ll be in it again and definitely try to do something different next year,” Ava said.
