‘Major success’: Students host talent show to benefit Staten Island non-profit | In Class column

IN CLASS: This feature is part of an ongoing education column highlighting the various activities that engage school communities.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A Staten Island elementary school recently hosted a talent show to benefit local non-profit, Michael’s Cause.

PS 56 in Rossville held its Got Talent show on Feb. 1 — a Hollywood-themed event with a variety of activities for parents and students, such as a red carpet, photo booth with Disney’s “Frozen” characters, a temporary tattoo station, a concessions, novelties, raffles and much more.

It marked the first talent show in four years, following a hiatus due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In that time, students and school staff lost their beloved former Principal Philip Carollo, who died in 2022.

Many different acts performed in the show. And the students competed in three separate categories — piano, vocal/dance performance and “other.” First, second and third prizes were awarded in each category, and trophies and gift certificates were given to prize winners.

There were 24 fifth-grade dancers who opened with dance routines to “Respect,” by Aretha Franklin, and “Hopeful,” by Bars and Melody. There was even a surprise staff performance that featured a mix of Taylor Swift songs.

The talent show helped to benefit Michael’s Cause, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds for research toward finding a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

The show was organized and co-directed by Michelle LoMagno, the conflict resolution cluster teacher, and Brooke Lopez, the theater arts cluster teacher.

“The entire evening was a major success, and this was a night our…