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Scales Mound and Warren got (virtual) talent

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SCALES MOUND–As schools remain closed for the remainder of the school year, they’re trying to find ways to keep traditions adapt traditions using virtual means. The talent show is no exception.

Krista Wilhelm, Scales Mound music teacher, began the talent show in 2018 as an opportunity for students to showcase their talents that others might not know about.

Ashley Almquist, Warren music teacher, was set to host her first Warren talent show, but previously hosted talent shows in another district.

“Many students can do really impressive things like juggling, gymnastics and tap dancing,” said Wilhelm. “These are all things that the kids don’t normally get to share with others.”

Scales Mound’s 2018 and 2019 talent shows were a major hit as audience members were able to vote on who they thought was the most talented. The first year, the balloting was done by paper and pencil and the second year Wilhelm added a technological component to the voting and had people vote on a Google form which created more efficiency.

“They all got their acts together on their own time and checked in with me once a week to let me know how their preparations were going. I offered advice and feedback and even accompanied a few acts,” said Wilhelm.

At Warren, students audition with the committee of 10 staff who discuss the talent that performs over the course of one to two days.

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“The one thing I struggled with e-learning is that I am not able to do what I do on a normal basis,” said Almquist. “Students aren’t being able to express themselves, so we thought that if we could pull something like the talent show together, then there would be more opportunity for all of those things to happen.”

Wilhelm said that she enjoys advising the talent show because the fun and magic of the show are in the hands of the students.

“The show is theirs,” said Wilhelm. “It is their moment to shine and they always do.”

Students found out after school cancellation was extended, that the talent show might not take place this year.

“They were super bummed,” said Wilhelm. “I decided that I wasn’t going to let the pandemic stop us. I decided to do it all virtually.”

Students are now able to submit their talent videos to Wilhelm via email and she posts them all on the Scales Mound School Musicians Facebook page for viewing. Videos were due on April 27 and Wilhelm used the following three days for voting via Google Forms with winners announced May 1.

Warren decided to open up the talent show to any student in the district, K-12, and students will submit a talent video to Almquist who she will send to her committee. Almquist will compile the videos and hopes to host a Facebook Watch Party event.