A variety of talent was on display when Eastern York School District held its annual talent show. The event took place in the performing arts center of Eastern York High School on Jan. 21.

"We had about 20 acts," said Lindsey Pangburn, who was the master of ceremonies for the evening. "It was open to students, parents and staff in the district, from elementary school through high school." Although no adults participated this year, they did at the first talent show, held in 2019.

"Everyone is welcome to participate, and there is a spot for everyone," Pangburn said. Auditions were held, but they were just an opportunity to work out the logistics of the event, including order of performances and special requests such as microphones needed by an act.

"We had a lot of really great talent this year," Pangburn noted. "We had a couple of students play piano ... including a third-grader who wrote his own piano song. We had a lot of dancers, baton twirling. Part of our senior high's drum line performed, and that was really great."

One of the most creative acts was a high school student who displayed a unique talent, she said. "He solves Rubik's Cubes, and he solved a regular one in under 30 seconds. Then he solved a two-by-two one blindfolded," she explained.

Pangburn, who is president of the performing arts booster club, said the idea for the talent show came about as a way to reach a wider audience. "As a booster club, we had been really focused on the high school musical," she said. "We're a booster club for the whole district, supporting arts for the whole district. We're now focusing on events that encourage activity from all the kids in the district." The booster club is exploring the idea of holding a summer theater camp and is looking for ways to connect with more students.

"We would love to get to the point where we could facilitate an elementary or a middle school play, even if it's just a small play," Pangburn stated.

At the recent talent show, she saw firsthand the impact the arts can have on students, even ones who are not yet in school.

"We had a little sister of one of the performers, just a preschooler, come up to me at the show and say, 'It's my dream to sing,' and I said, 'We can make that dream happen,'" Pangburn recalled. "I went out and told the audience we were going to add an act on that wasn't in the program. She came out and sang, and she was ecstatic. It was so great to see the joy on her face. That's what this event was all about."