The junior class went a different route with its annual prom fund-raiser. Instead of the Miss Manteo Pageant, the class put on a talent show.

“The purpose of Manteo’s Got Talent! was to showcase and celebrate all of the fantastic gifts that make you YOU! While the Miss Manteo Pageant has always been a successful fund-raiser, I just couldn’t resist the opportunity to let a broader spectrum of students show off a little bit,” junior class co-sponsor Kassie Mount said.

The talent show took place on April 16 in the auditorium, and 12 acts participated in the show.

“I thought the talent show was a wonderful success!” junior class co- sponsor Holly Humphlett said. “The participants were all amazing and put so much effort into each of their performances.”

There were a wide range of acts that were showcased in the talent show from Bollywood dancing to karate and both students and faculty performed. Juniors Katie Gruninger and Hannah Anglin hosted the show.

“Katie and I were nervous before the show, but once it started we had a really good time. It was fun to be able to enjoy the acts from such an up close perspective,” Anglin said.

To starts things off, junior Josh Pack played a jazz piece on his piano called “Cow Cow Blues,” and continued to be a part of the show by playing songs in between acts.

“I enjoyed playing at the talent show but I was most impressed by David Young’s martial arts performance,” Pack said.

Young’s performance surprised many. He performed a martial arts routine to “Heart of a Champion.”

“I wanted to do something kind of funny for the talent show and show the students what I could do if they messed up the floors!” Young said.

Science teacher Chad Leary and history teacher Mickey Daniels also participated.

Freshman Jalen Endres danced a Bollywood inspired dance routine with Scout Landry, a friend from FFHS. Seniors Jaidee Elliott, Sydney Putnam and Rebecca Boyce and juniors Cici Colletti and Grace Davis performed a skit from the hit Broadway play “Hamilton.” Freshman Raechelle Eller sang while playing her ukulele, and Davis returned with a hula hoop routine. Junior Gracie Deichler played the guitar while singing “All I Want” by Kodaline. Sophomore Sabrina Cutright sang Beyonce’s hit “If I Were a Boy,” and Elliott returned to the stage and concluded the show with her rendition of James Bay’s “Let it Go.”

“I chose the song because I had heard it before, and one day I found myself humming it to myself and I fell in love with it!” Elliott said. “I think everyone who came out to show off their talent did an excellent job.”

Before wrapping up the talent show, the hosts welcomed all the participants back to the stage to sing the school’s alma mater.

“The alma mater achieves a goal of paying homage to our awesome school!” Mount said.