BY SUSAN CLARK
If you have a talent you’re just dying to show off, here’s your chance at the limelight and a way to support the Save the Children Fund.
The “Bedford’s Got Talent Show,” is looking for students in grades 5 through 10, as well as Bedford faculty members, who can sing, dance or yodel ... well, just about any talent, to be featured on the new Bedford High School theater stage.
The show, sponsored by the high school’s leadership class, is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m. Auditions take place Oct. 22 through 26, and sign-up sheets are located at McKelvie Intermediate School, and at Ross A. Lurgio Middle and Bedford High schools Commons.
Proceeds from the show and raffle will benefit the Save the Children Fund, an international relief organization that helps children in more than 27 countries, including North, Central and South America, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Once students and faculty sign up, they’ll receive more information, said freshman Caitlyn Cannone, a member of the leadership class’ behind-the-scenes group.
The leadership class, taken as an elective, is advised by teacher Joe Kegler and helps students develop communication and decision-making skills through the “Bedford’s Got Talent Show.”
Kegler and Bedford High School Principal George Edwards designed the talent show so students could apply what they’ve learned to real-life skills.
“George (Edwards) and I wanted to develop a project for the kids to do so they can learn to think on a community level and globally,” said Kegler.
Eleven students in the class are divided into two groups – production and behind-the-scenes – each with a specific job to do such as advertising and promotions, collecting donations and prizes, producing the show, talent coordination and even providing refreshments for the event.
“The class show us how you appropriate everything you learned into life situations,” said student Aubrey Ouellet.
The class voted student James Face as their main leader, and Cannone and Ouellet as subleaders for their groups.
“Students take on responsibility, get direction from a leader and, in turn, it’s (the subleaders’) job to recruit people to help them,” said Kegler.
Cannone said everybody enjoys the class and will benefit from what they’ve learned.
“Leadership is a life skill I’ll probably use a lot,” she said.
For Kate Stieper, the class offers her a chance to help others.
“We really want to make a difference,” she said.
In addition to producing the “Bedford’s Got Talent Show,” the leadership class has an academic aspect.
“Students look at famous leaders and learn about their characteristics, their different styles both the good and negative, and the philosophy of leadership,” said Kegler.
Each students picked a world leader to analyze, said Kegler, such as Martin Luther King Jr., Julius Caesar, Ghandi, Mussolini, Saddam Hussein and Hitler.
“The students asked how come the German people followed Hitler,” said Kegler. “When you look at these leaders in history, you ask how do these charismatic leaders negatively influence people or influence people for the good.”
The students are contacting local businesses for gift certificates and prize donations.
“We have five prizes so far to be raffled off and we’re looking for more and a grand prize,” said Cannone on Oct. 12.
The community can also help by making monetary donations. Send checks payable to the Save the Children Fund, in care of Joe Kegler, Bedford High School, 47 Nashua Road, Bedford, NH 03110. For more information, e-mail Kegler at keglerj@sau25.net.