Talent show winner Chaunto Drape wows the audience with his guitar skills. (Lolita Cusic/H-F Chronicle)
Entertainment, Feature

‘HF’s Got Talent’ a showcase for school’s dancers, musicians and singers

In 2004, Chicago’s own Jennifer Hudson got her start at a “little” talent competition called “American Idol.” 

At Thursday’s “H-F’s Got Talent’’ competition, Homewood-Flossmoor High School students got their own chance at stardom and a $100 prize.

Despite competing school-related events and rainy weather, about 300 students attended this year’s competition, said Mark Ciesielski, head boy’s varsity volleyball coach. He said this is the third year the  team has hosted the talent show, which served as a fundraiser for the team’s gear and equipment.

The varsity team, which ended last season with an impressive 29-9 record, starts its new season on March 6.

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“It was the best season in HF history,” said Ciesielski, now in his fifth year as head coach. “We’ve really made some strides in the last four years. We’ve got a pretty bright future.”

Talent show winner Chaunto Drape wows the audience with his guitar skills. (Lolita Cusic/H-F Chronicle)
Talent show winner Chaunto Drape wows the audience with
his guitar skills. (Lolita Cusic/H-F Chronicle)

The HF High School Viking Television staff was on hand to film the event and serve as its hosts.

Seniors Ashira Blakey, Sommer Owens and Theo Holloway kept the show moving with their playful banter and onstage antics. They were joined by seniors King Figueroa and Ewan Duckett, who showed off their throwing arms as they tossed T-shirts into the audience and did the raffle. The crowd loved it.

The show started promptly at 7 p.m. As the lights dimmed, the audience broke out into loud cheers. A contestant’s image appeared on a big screen, including Viking TV short clips of each contestant, allowing them to introduce themselves in their own words. 

The first act of the night was drummer Jamire Taylor. Taylor, a freshman, played to a backing track and showed off his drumming skills to an enthusiastic audience.

Next up was dancer and junior Nehemiah Richardson. He moonwalked, did a Michael Jackson kick, a half split and a smooth combination of dance moves that delighted the crowd. 

The third performer, junior Theo Anderson, sang a moving ballad accompanied on piano by her teacher. Poised and confident, she sang with feeling and a maturity that belied her youth.

Contestant number four was senior Rylee Miller. She was engaging and relaxed as she sang an uplifting song about body positivity while the audience clapped along.

  • Angel Fernandez performs on guitar during H-F talent show. (Emmanuel Wright/provided photo)
    Angel Fernandez performs on guitar during H-F talent show. (Emmanuel Wright/provided photo)

The audience, a performer’s dream, definitely contributed to the fun of the night. The audience cheered, applauded and sang throughout the evening. They whipped out their camera flashlights, swaying from side to side on some performances, rivaling the energy at a big R&B or rock concert. 

Junior Jeremiah Richardson was contestant number five. He was a bundle of energy and skill, hyping the crowd with his dance moves.  

Freshman Luke Wagner took the stage next belting out an original song called “Perfection” in a big, powerful voice. 

Alaysia Jennings, dressed in an all-white flowing dress, was contestant number seven. Jennings, a senior,  performed a graceful praise dance and twirled purple streamers, too. 

Vocalist Jeremiah York, contestant number eight, hit high and low notes with ease and showed off his falsetto. York, a senior, invited the audience to sing along on his song’s hook, which they happily did.

Guitarist and senior Chaunto Drape took the stage next. Drape masterfully played driving rock riffs that the audience loved, some smooth runs and crowd favorites on his electric guitar. 

Singer Laniya Whitlock was contestant number 10 and did a nice job on Babyface’s song, “Whip Appeal.” The crowd joined in on parts of the chorus with her. Whitlock knows how to draw her audience in.

  • Talent show winner Chaunto Drape wows the audience with his guitar skills. (Lolita Cusic/H-F Chronicle)
    Talent show winner Chaunto Drape wows the audience with his guitar skills. (Lolita Cusic/H-F Chronicle)

Angel Fernandez, Adrian Lopez and Adam Medrano, a guitar trio, were the last contestants of the evening.  Fernandez sang softly on one number, accompanied by the trio’s skillful and strong playing.

All of the contestants gave amazing performances and had great stage presence.

After the last act, the hosts and all of the acts came back on stage. A QR code flashed on the screen. The hosts instructed the audience to scan the code and then vote for their favorite act.

Once the results were in, Blakey asked the audience to give her a drum roll before the winner was announced. When Drape was named the winner, the audience roared its approval, and Drape collected the $100 prize.

“I feel so good right now,” Drape said after the show. “I was so nervous, but all of the nervousness just melted away when I got on stage. This was everything I could have dreamed of.”

“HF’s Got Talent” is available to watch on Viking TV’s Youtube channel @vikingtelevision2170

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