![Lucy Millwood [left] and Sophia Streetman [right] with water guns in hand, getting prepared to eliminate their target(s).](https://thsmaroonandwhite.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/senior-a.jpg)
As the 2025 semester comes to an end, students are met with finals that can tend to feel like drowning. Staff and administration do their best, through tinsel lined halls and pep rallies, to spread cheer to overwhelmed students.
One of the many exciting end of semester events is rapidly approaching. On December 19th, the auditorium lights will dim, sound equipment will set the stage, and seats will be filled by relieved students, just on the cusp of their holiday break. The 2025 talent show will include acts uniquely crafted to entertain students, and allow young performers to showcase their talents to their peers.
This year, the talent showcase will have 11 different acts, which range from vocal performances to a magic show.
Senior Zera Pritchard, synthesizer player of the Pentagoons, participated in the 2023 talent show with her band playing Metallica’s “For Whom the Bell Tolls”, and found it to be a life changing experience.
“It was the most fun I’ve ever had in my life, and I am proud to say that my band won first place,” Pritchard said. “I remember stepping up on that stage in front of everyone and my body felt all queasy, but when the music started, I was totally into it.”
There was previously a question of whether or not talent shows would continue to be done. Zera Pritchard expressed disappointment in the lack of a 2024 show.
“My band was still together by the next year, and I was really excited to perform,” Pritchard said. “Unfortunately, the talent show wasn’t arranged that year even though we all learned the song; it was devastating.”
This year, a new band will be taking the stage. The band Freezer, consisting of vocalist and lead guitarist Branch Sword, bassist Harry “Hank” Scana
lan, rhythm guitarist Ian Jesse, and drummer Penn Story, will perform Weezer’s “Undone (The Sweater Song)”.
“We’ve been playing music together for a couple of years, and it seemed like a fun opportunity to me,” Sword said. “We’d always wanted to do something like that.”
For some people, seeing the 2023 talent show was an intimidating inspiration. Junior Caleb Craiger who was selected to perform a vocal performance, “Since You’ve Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson, shared this sentiment.
“I had previously wanted to do the talent show, but I didn’t build up enough courage to do it, so this time around, I decided I really wanted to and so I signed up to audition” Craiger said.
Another performer, senior Ainsley Cradic, is taking inspiration from the popular movie “K-pop Demon Hunters” as a way to express herself throughout her solo routine. She holds the movie close to her heart.
“I wanted to do [the song] ‘Takedown,’ as me taking down my hardships in life,” Cradic said. “But I also want to do ‘Golden,’ because I’m experiencing really good things right now and I feel like I’m gonna be golden when I get older.”
But this talent show isn’t just musical performances, it will also include a magician’s act performed by Krystopher “Krys” Carter. For him, performing in front of a larger audience for the first time has been a great way to develop his skill.
“I’ve learned new tricks,” Carter said. “[Audience participation] is my specialty, and I’d love to get the audience involved because that just makes it all the more believable”
Another act unique to this year’s talent show is the saxophone duet of “The Entertainer”, being performed by senior Shelby Vining and sophomore Isabella “Bella” Jones. It is also uniquely nerve wracking for its performers, working to create a balance.
“I’m honestly most nervous about myself,” Jones said. “Shelby is such a talented performer, and it can be a bit intimidating to imagine messing up with her by my side.”
But their incredible hard work won’t go unrecognized, their performance extends a notion from beyond the stage.
“Getting on stage and playing such an involved instrument can be really scary, but we’re hoping to show that if we can do it, so can you,” Jones said.
Freshman Aly Watson is no stranger to performing. She previously won the Tennessee High Idol competition for her grade division. Although performing in front of such a large crowd may still be intimidating for her, she plans to uplift the show with her vocal performance.
“It’s a very fun, upbeat song,” Watson said. “It’s just meant to make people happy and have fun.”
So while these amazing students perfect pitches, prepare tricks, and struggle through choosing the perfect rehearsal days, prepare for an outstanding talent show to kick off winter break.
“It’s not really a competition; just have fun with it,” Jesse said.
