Galileo’s 24th annual talent show was the end of an era, as coordinator of every talent show, peer resource teacher, Ms. Jackie Alarcon, will be stepping down as she plans to retire at the end of the school year.
Ms. Jackie first came up with the idea of Galileo hosting a talent show in 2001 and has kept one running every year since. When she came in as a peer resource teacher, there was a fashion show, where students were able to show outfits off. Galileo was then provided a temporary “Sol Arts” grant, and students had the opportunity to dance, play music, and perform various arts after school. Since there were many supporters of this program, a talent show was made for students to be able to express their passions, since the grant only lasted one year.
Ms. Jackie states, “The talent show holds a special place for me since it allows me to provide a platform for students that don’t always stand out or aren’t always “seen” in the Galileo community.” Through the show, these students who are normally more timid are able to express themselves on stage and the shows act as an outlet for these kinds of kids.
A significant challenge that Ms. Jackie has faced organizing the event has been the auditorium and the fact that various different classes, teachers, and clubs utilize it as well. This has made it more difficult for her to coordinate with different people and manage aspects of the show, like rehearsals.
The talent show has changed significantly over the years, some of the changes being that there are many people who only sign up to sing now, compared to the diverse acts that people performed in the past. Additionally, the show used to only be only invitational, but has become mandatory, and this is the first year that winners have been announced. Some unique performances that stood out in her memory from previous shows were poetry slam contests, wrestling match parodies, and more live music performances.
Despite Ms. Jackie retiring from Galileo after this school year, the tradition of Galileo’s talent will still carry on into the future. “It’s bittersweet, but I loved all that the talent show brought me, like being able to meet new students and allowing them to have their five minutes of fame,” she says.
Some advice Ms. Jackie has for future talent show coordinators is to make sure the administration is on board with the dates and rehearsal times, along with allowing the program to be run with student leadership and adult support. She says, “I hope the tradition stays for a long while, and everyone remembers the importance of the event.”
