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The staff get dressed up.
Coláiste Gleann Lí post-primary school was a hive of activity on Tuesday night as the school talent show got underway.
The students and staff of the school donned the glad rags and took to the stage to entertain a packed hall.
Presenters John Creagh and Maryanne Lowney introduced an eclectic mix of talents with singing, dancing, acting, crafting, drama, art appreciation and comedic sketches among the acts.
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The audience was kept in tune with the buzz backstage by Coláiste Gleann Lí podcasters Abigail O’Shea and Kaitlyn O’Connell who brought regular updates to the audience.
The line up was multicultural and inclusive with first year student Aimar Fernandez from the Basque region in northern Spain playing the Txistu a traditional Basque instrument and first year Amina Nawaz singing in her native Ukrainian.
A series of surprising guest appearances from staff members added to the fun and excitement on the night with the school’s Principal, Liam McGill performing a Garth Brooks classic; Elizabeth O’Gorman reciting the Percy French monologue ‘If I were a Lady’; Elizabeth O’Callaghan performing her own original poem about school life.
Amina, a Ukrainian first year student singing in her native tongue.
The comedic highlight was undoubtedly the team of dancing grannies led by John Creagh who invaded the stage to the amusement of the audience.
There was a competitive edge to the show with judges Cllr. Terry O’Brien (Chairperson of the Board of Management), Ms. Margaret Godley (Kerry College) and Ms. Catherine Horgan (Kerry ETB) having the unenviable task of selecting the overall winning acts.
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The winning acts were: Kaitlyn O’ Connell (3rd year) in 3rd place for her soulful rendition of ‘Hallelujah’. In 2nd place were dancers Callum Holden and Emma Leahy O’ Sullivan (2nd year), performing a mixed style, high octane routine.
Mary Anne Lowney interviews a contestant.
In first place was 6th year student Päivi Dowds, a multitalented singer, songwriter and guitarist who wrote a bilingual song in Slovakian and English especially for the show.
The event was coordinated by the school’s Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) Coordinator Maryanne Lowney in association with the Parents’ Council and all proceeds will go toward additional outdoor student seating areas to accompany the schools recently revitalised school garden.
