The Lincoln Elementary School talent show once again brought the school community together for an evening filled with creativity, confidence and student achievement. The annual event was directed by first grade teacher Nicolas James whose leadership helped ensure a smooth and successful performance night.

Before the show began, families and students gathered for a bake sale organized by PTA members and alumni Kimberly Brown, Heidi Dai and Peter James. Their efforts helped support the event and added to the festive and welcoming atmosphere.

Student leadership played an important role throughout the evening. Student Council members Kaydence Yuen, Ayla Wu, Jacob Maikeo, Elodie Kamadrzarian and Ruby Levasseur worked behind the scenes as stagehands, assisting performers and keeping transitions running efficiently. Master of ceremonies Naiyeli Dixon, alongside James, guided the program and kept the show moving smoothly.

For the first time, the show began 30 minutes earlier with a special open mic session, giving Lincoln students the opportunity to warm up the audience by sharing their “knock-knock jokes” – a fun and inclusive addition that set a joyful tone for the night.

The talent show featured over 42 impressive acts, showcasing the wide range of skills and creativity within the Lincoln community. One of the evening’s most memorable moments featured Principal Barbie Fariss who enthusiastically participated in a magic act with Ayla Wu and Kaydence Yuen.

Musical performances were another highlight of the night. Chloe Lee, Ava Ghaffari Nik, and Valentina Lafaurie energized the crowd with lively performances of popular songs from KPop Demon Hunters. Twins Panayiotis and Christopher Charalambous wowed the audience with their piano talents while Lily Koo received enthusiastic applause for her performance on the Korean gayageum, a traditional string instrument rarely seen on a school stage.

These performances represented just a few of the many talented acts showcased throughout the evening. The Lincoln talent show celebrated students’ willingness to share their talents, support one another and shine on stage. The event served as a powerful reminder of Lincoln’s strong sense of community and the importance of providing meaningful opportunities for students to express themselves.

By Nicolas JAMES