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Elementary students’ talents shine during ‘Bathgate’s Got Talent – Season 3’ - CUSD Insider
Stars and Star Girls perform at the start of Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show. Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider

Elementary students’ talents shine during ‘Bathgate’s Got Talent – Season 3’

By Theresa Cisneros

Dozens of Bathgate Elementary students took to the stage during the school’s annual talent show, which helped participants grow in confidence and ability while also showcasing their diverse talents to the community.

During “Bathgate’s Got Talent – Season 3,” students had two minutes or less to display their creativity for the crowd.

In all, 54 acts — from piano and cello solos to choreographed hula-hooping to dance gymnastics — were performed in two back-to-back shows: the first featuring the “blue” cast, and the second featuring the “gray” cast.

Camille Lezak performs “Better Place” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider

Student Council members served as emcees for both sessions, introducing performers and offering up colorful commentary to lively audiences made up of friends, family, and community members.

“The kids are amazing. They are so talented,” said Sheida Gimenez, who’s served as the talent show chair for the past three years. “They go up there and you can see their confidence building. It’s beautiful.”

Organizers said that while the show is entertaining, it also helps unite the school community, teaches participants valuable skills, and highlights the diversity of the student body.

This year, for example, the show kicked off with an inaugural performance by the school’s STARS (Success Through Academic Readiness and Social Skills) classes, a program for pupils who have special needs.

Camille Lezak performs “Better Place” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider

With assistance from their mentors and a group of fifth-grade helpers dubbed the “Star Girls,” students performed a dance routine to “You Should be Dancing” by the Bee Gees that they’ve been practicing since September.

Principal Natalie Odebunmi said the STARS classes were added to this year’s lineup to give all Bathgate students the chance to partake in the popular tradition.

“We really wanted to make sure that they are part of the show and that they have as many opportunities as all the other kids,” she said. “I am so excited to see this act perform.”

Michael Davis said he was pleasantly surprised to see his son Ashton, a kindergartener dressed in a T-shirt that read “Disco King,” dance on stage with the STARS group.

“He’s so young and doesn’t do much choreography so it was great to see him do that,” he said.

Ella Kavosi performs ”Part Of Your World Ballet” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider

Parents and organizers said having a role in the talent show can teach pupils important life skills and help boost their self-esteem. Odebunmi said that while participating in the show may be fun for students, they also learn about organization, goal-setting and time management along the way.

Students begin generating ideas in January, she said, and work over the next few months to condense and hone their material so that it’s ready by showtime.

“The goal is to perform an act on March 1,” Odebunmi said. “So, we need to identify the steps that we need to accomplish that, and then chunk it down into smaller steps.”

Robert and Kelsey Jones said practicing on a regular basis helped their daughter Adilynn develop the confidence she needed to perform a solo cheer routine during the “blue” show.

“Piano Solo” by Zoey Allen during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider

Gathered in the parking lot after the show, the duo reflected on their daughter’s progress over the past few months.

“We were just proud watching her practice and get better at it,” Kelsey said, “because she was nervous at first.”

Gimenez said that witnessing the personal growth that takes place in participants like Adilynn is what motivates her to stay involved with the show year after year.

“There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a kid that’s shy, or doubting what they are capable of, get out there and blossom,” she said. “They light up, their confidence goes to 100 and they come back after they’re done with their performance so excited and so proud of themselves.”

Louisa Probeus plays ”The Entertainer” by Scott Joplin during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider

Organizers said this year’s show was also unique because of the range of acts that it featured — from Bollywood and Persian dancing to taekwondo — reflecting the diverse ages, talents, skill levels, and cultural heritages of Bathgate students.

Two fifth graders, for example, created their own fusion act, with one performing an Indian dance while the other sang “Girls Like You” a few feet away on the mic.

Later in the night, Brynn Wilmot and her classmates took their creativity in a different direction, performing a song they wrote based on the “Twelve Days of Christmas” in an act titled “The Baddie Chickens.”

“It’s just fun,” Gimenez said. “It’s a great representation of Orange County and a school of today.”

Showing support for Louisa Probeus during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider

It was a packed house at both shows, and spectators came for a variety of reasons. One student who came out to support her peers gave the performances a glowing review.

“I loved everything about it,” she said.

And Sherry Atash, whose children have long since promoted out of Bathgate, returned to the grounds to support her friend’s son who was in the “gray” cast. Atash, who lives nearby, says campus events like the talent show add to the school’s legacy of unity and camaraderie.

“I love everything about Bathgate,” she said. “It’s a great place, with great people, and great teachers.”

Madeleine Sharp’s stand up comedy “Madeleine’s Funny Joke Skit” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Sophia Tang, Selena Tang, and Kayla Tang performs “Willy Wonka & Fur Elise” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Sophia Tang, Selena Tang, and Kayla Tang perform “Willy Wonka & Fur Elise” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Tyler Allen sings “One Call Away” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Anushka Patel plays “What Was I Made For?” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Sean Zhang plays “Piano Solo” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Emma Cechini sings “You Belong To Me” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Liam Hickman and Pascha Sutic host the Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Eileen Khoshkbar performs “Savage Love” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Eileen Khoshkbar performs “Savage Love” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Tina Zhang performs a “Cello Solo” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Tina Zhang performs a cello solo during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Charlotte Hannon sings “A Million Dreams” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Justice Paget performs to “Eye of the Tiger” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Justice Paget performs to “Eye of the Tiger” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Lilyana Dimatteo performs to ”Ms. Hoyle’s Hula Hooper” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Lilyana Dimatteo performs to ”Ms. Hoyle’s Hula Hooper” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Kahlia Vasquez sings “Part Of Your World” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Anya Patel performs “Indian Fusion Dance – Ed Sheeran” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Showing support for Anya Patel during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Anya Patel performs “Indian Fusion Dance – Ed Sheeran” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Fina Zhang plays a violin solo during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Riya Shah during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Riley Michael’s dance performance to “You Name It!” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Adilynn Jones performs a cheer routine during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Sheida Gimenez, left, Principal Natalie West-Odebunmi, and Kelly Anderson at the conclusion of the first of two Bathgate Elementary School talent shows.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
The cast of Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show takes one final bow.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Matthew Doe, Sabrina Yoneda, and Ethan Thompson host the gray cast of the Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Eva Andersson, Layla Tu, and Elsa Khademzadeh dance to “E.L.E” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Eva Andersson, Layla Tu, and Elsa Khademzadeh dance to “E.L.E” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Elise Mondragon sings “Part Of Your World” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Emma and Suren Amini perform standup during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Jordyn Burt performs during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Chloe Lilly sings “Enchanted” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Sophia Perez performs “Shake It Up” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Arshan Mirfakhrai sings “Memories By Maroon 5” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Arshan Mirfakhrai sings “Memories By Maroon 5” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Brian Peng performs “Take Me To Your Heart” on the violin during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Maura Schaeffer and Quinn Perez perform “Duo Swift” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Maura Schaeffer and Quinn Perez perform “Duo Swift” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Jacob Garza solves under the pressure of a timer special-shaped Rubik’s cubes during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Ryden Miller shows a video he produced called “Ryden’s Action Sports Video” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Ashton Alagband performs Taekwondo during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Kiana Zahabi performs “Nago Nagoftam” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Autumn Kuzmic and Ava Broadhead sing “You Belong With Me” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Autumn Kuzmic and Ava Broadhead get the crowd going as they sing to “You Belong With Me” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Olivia Peng plays “Stitches” on her violin during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Ignacio Herrera sings “Watch Over You” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Nina and Marco Alanis perform to “Sib Squad” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Nina and Marco Alanis perform to “Sib Squad” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Geneva Holzer sings during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Geneva Holzer sings during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Nila Safabash and Ava Omidbakush perform “Dance Gymnastics” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Nila Safabash and Ava Omidbakush perform “Dance Gymnastics” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Kimia Zahabi, Rylee Johnson, and Erica Foster dance to “Believer” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Kimia Zahabi, Rylee Johnson, and Erica Foster dance to “Believer” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
The gray cast talent show comes to an end during Bathgate Elementary School’s Bathgate’s Got Talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
The gray cast takes one final bow at the conclusion of Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider
Tyler Allen sings “One Call Away” during Bathgate Elementary School’s talent show.
Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider

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