Colton, CA—A lively crowd came into the Whitmer Auditorium on Sep. 28 for what looks to become a new Colton High tradition: the Yellowjackets Got Talent talent show.
Hosted by the Hip-Hop Club, the event featured eight acts ranging from singing and performing to video editing.Twelve students overall performed for a panel of five judges for prize money, with top prize winning $250.
First place went to Jhan Sebastian Cerda Granados, who played “Fantasy Impromptu” and “Nocturne in C Sharp Minor” on the piano as an inspiring medley.
“I was very excited to win because I had never won an award before,” Cerda Granados shared through an interpreter.
He has been playing the piano for six years. “I really wanted to impress my teachers,” he said about his decision to perform.
Cerda Grandos accomplished his goal. “We were just impressed with his mastery of skill at being able to seamlessly do two pieces at once,” said Emmanuel Lopez, one of the judges. “His talent transcended language.”
Other winners included Dorian Rodriguez, who performed on the guitar, playing “Cherry Wine” by Grant Perez for the excited audience. He took home $100 for second place.
“It was good performing in front of a crowd for the first time and meeting a lot of people,” Rodriguez said.
In third place was the CHS Colorguard, featuring Jinx Jackson, Melanie Gonzalez, Gennasy Pohlman, Clair Wallace, and Jeremy Tenorio Navas. They split the third place winnings of $50 between them.
Other performers included Melissa Alvarez, who sang “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” by Taylor Swift; Hunter Perez, sharing her inventive video editing skills; Samantha Sandoval and Jasmin Lopez, who performed on the flute and piano; and Emily Parada, who sang “No Me Queda Más” by Selena..
The Hip-Hop Club also performed, dancing to a medley of two songs: “Something Ain’t Right” and “Bye Bye Bye.”
This year, the Hip-Hop Club has been one of the most active organizations on campus, co-sponsoring a PBIS and CCR assembly, and running several fundraisers.
“We want to create some school pride, to have the students enjoy their time here at CHS,” said Hip-Hop Club President Emily Parada. “This club is determined to have fun. We want everyone to enjoy what we do, and we also want to enjoy seeing people have fun.”