Ewing's brightest shine in talent show

Sunday, February 21, 2010

By JOAN GALLER
Staff Writer
EWING — A stand-room-only crowd of parents, relatives and friends turned out last night to
cheer for local kids performing in Ewing’s 6th Annual Talent Show, which netted winners $4,000
in gift card prizes and trophies.

Cold weather failed to deter more than 600 residents who packed Fisher Middle School’s 500-
seat auditorium from attending the 7 p.m. show featuring students in grades 6-12. At least
another 250 attended the afternoon contest.

Even after the evening curtain rose, they were still walking in, delayed seeking parking spaces
among the piles of snow in the school’s lots, driveway and nearby township street.

Circling, circling, circling, they parked anywhere they found a bit of space and made a dash for
the front doors.

Backstage, the young performers were champing at the bit, waiting to get on stage, where
Mayor Jack Ball and his co-emcee, Frank Maske, both resplendent in tuxedos, were welcoming
the crowd.

“It’s standing room only, and I thank you all for coming out tonight,” Ball said, drawing groans by
mentioning the weather forecast indicates snow later next week.

As the evening performances of singers, dancers and musicians got underway, perennial talent
show volunteers were busy at their assigned jobs.

Joseph and Robert Malinkowski, a father-son team, sat outside the auditorium doors handing
out the beautiful color programs featuring photos of each young performer.

“My son works at ETS (a main financial supporter of the show, including prize money and
printing the program booklets), so give him the credit, not me,” said proud pop Joe.

Down the hallway, four more unsung volunteers — Patricia Maske, Shirley Rader, Barbara
Gusz and Gloria Kopczynski — toiled cutting up hundreds of slices of chocolate and vanilla
cake to be served at intermission to all who showed up.

Nearby, Don Cox, a township councilman and talent show supporter, was doing his part by
pouring hundreds of paper cups of tea and fruit juices.

Standing outside the school’s main doors having a cigarette, talent show volunteer Brooke
Gray, a stay-at-home mother of four, raved about the young performers.
“When the kids get off the stage and return to where everyone is waiting backstage, the older
kids give the younger performers cheers and high fives,” Gray noted. “They have so much
energy and give each other so much support. It’s just wonderful.”

Just then, a wave of applause and loud cheers erupted from the auditorium, clearly audible
through the school’s exterior walls as the show continued well past press time.

Earlier in the day, children in grades K-5 performed in the 1 p.m. show.

In the K-Grade 2 division, Dasha Eisenhauer took the $500 first place, Cameron Phillips won
the $300 second place, and Gabrielle Gregg, Kellie Kramarz and Olivia Martin took the $200
third place.

In the Grade 3-5 division, Denia Campbell, Kaiya Burnett and Jaycee Lowe were the first place
$500 winners, Chauncey Wreh won the $300 second place prize, and Natalie Houghton won
the $200 third place. All the winners for the afternoon and evening shows also won “Charlie”
trophies, named for Ewing’s namesake, 19th century Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles
Ewing..

Every contestant took home a certificate of participation , signed by the mayor and School Supt.
Michael Nitti.