Poughkeepsie’s Got Talent Show Wows the Crowd

POUGHKEEPSIE – A year ago, Amir Shell stole the Poughkeepsie’s Got Talent show with an electric guitar performance that just about shook the walls of Poughkeepsie High School’s auditorium.

This year, as he and his new bandmates took the stage, the students were ready for a good time before they even played a note. “When the crowd just yells at you, it’s a nice feeling,” the senior said. “It kind of hypes you up. It feels like they want you to put on a great performance.”

More than a dozen students, and several teachers, put their musical entertainment skills on display late last month in the annual Poughkeepsie’s Got Talent show, assembled by the Culture Shock club. The club each year puts in several weeks of work to shape the show with tryouts, rehearsals and decorations.

This year’s performances ranged from piano pieces and vocal performances to dance routines, rapping and a stroll.

Club adviser Nashon Anderson called the show “powerful … it brings culture and community into the school. It turns the space into more than just classrooms and tests.”

All the performances are judged by a panel of staff members, though the students also pass judgment by making noise in a party atmosphere. Terrismya Moody remembers watching Shell’s performance alongside music teacher Joe North on drums last year and thought he was “really cool.” Getting to know each other better in recent weeks, she shared with him she wanted to sing in this year’s show and they decided to perform as a band, alongside Jacob Lewis and North.

“We can do it, we just have to commit to it,” Shell said of playing together. “As the talent show started rolling around, I learned the song, Jacob learned it on drums and we rehearsed it.”

They earned top honors, performing a heavy metal song by the band Thousand Below. It was their first live performance.

“I wasn’t really nervous for it. I was really excited,” Moody said. “I always wanted to be in a band.”

Last year’s winners, minus one member, Zoe King, Natalia Lopez and Kaylin Rodriguez, returned with a dance routine, Siyanna Wise performed Adele’s “Skyfall” and Joel Griffiths played piano, among other performances.

Senior Allysha Anderson was also a returning performer, signing Loren Allred’s “Never Enough.” She said getting up on stage in front of most of the school can be “very nerve-wracking.” Still, she gave her all.

“I like the challenge. I like singing and performing,” she said. “It’s my last year of high school. Why not do it again?”

Nashon Anderson said the show each year “ignites excitement and inclusivity” for all students, noting many hours of work go into each student’s skills.

“This has become an annual party and event that the whole school looks forward to,” she said. “Plus, giving teachers a chance to see students’ unique talents and backgrounds definitely helps build respect and connection.”