On Friday, January 20th, Fort Hamilton High School hosted its first talent show since the pandemic began. Organized by the flag team, the show kicked off the new year with incredible performers showcasing the talent present at our school. Tickets were $10 per member and proceeds made from the night went toward two scholarship funds that are meaningful to the entire Fort Hamilton community.
This year’s talent show brought together a diverse array of performers and contributors. Acts included karate, dance groups, bands, guitar, and singing, while the flag team opened and closed the show. Multiple clubs including A Capella Club and the K-Covers club also participated in the talent show. Several local Bay Ridge businesses even contributed prizes to the intermission raffle, including Caffe Cafe, Cebu, and Pizza Wagon.
This talent show was the first for many performers, and for some, their last. Singer-songwriter Jenna Farraj was a freshman when she performed in the talent show before COVID-19 shut down schools. Now, she is a graduating senior who performed her original song for the first talent show since schools reopened.
“Things felt incomplete after returning to school, so being able to perform again feels like a much needed full circle ending after the pandemic,” she said.
Proceeds from the talent show contributed to two scholarship funds that Fort Hamilton has been supporting since the passing of two individuals within the community: student Kristi Beth Kvalheim and teacher Anthony Vigliotti.
Beth had planned on returning to teach physical education at Fort Hamilton High School after graduating, but passed away after a battle with leukemia. Ms. Beruldsen, the flag team advisor, knew Beth when she was a student at the school; she recalls her active role in the physical education department, playing on multiple sports teams including volleyball, JV basketball, and varsity tennis. Ms. Beruldsen described Beth as a “beautiful student with a wonderful smile.”
The second scholarship is dedicated to Vigliotti, who taught percussion in the music department; he also played professionally for many bands throughout his career. Mr. Azzara, a current music teacher at the school, remembers when Vigliotti was a teacher here. He remembered his caring spirit, impressive knowledge of music history, and passion for music.
The spirits of Beth and Vigliotti are kept alive by raising money for these scholarships through the talent show. Two students who emulate Beth and Vigliotti’s characters are awarded these scholarships by their physical education and music teachers on senior night.
The talent show and its meaning serve as an inspiration to shine and to use one’s light to shine on others. Whether it was a student’s very first talent show or their last, everyone feels a sense of pride in showcasing their talents, from acting, dancing, to karate, as they use them to uplift and celebrate students with Beth and Vigliotti’s qualities of kindness, passion, and talent.
Excitement, nostalgia, and bittersweet feelings arose as performers ran through the auditorium on to stage to Jennifer Lopez’s “Let’s Get Loud” to close out the night. With a supportive audience full of family and friends to cheer on our performers, the show was successful, smooth and fun.
