Daily Collegian - First Kid's Variety Show offers talent from THON kids
The children participating in the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon had a chance to showcase their talents tonight.
The THON Kids’ Variety Show kicked off this evening, beginning with Andrew and Moriah Woods. A young, Woods boy firmly held his microphone as he circled the diamond shaped staged – the enthusiasm he showcased, arguably, is what THON is all about, as shown by the excitement in the Bryce Jordan Center.
Following the Woods, were the Hess sisters — Kimberly and Hannah – who performed Owl City and Carly Rae Jepson’s “Good Time,” to a clapping and cheering Bryce Jordan Center.
The third performance of the show, Jack Messina played the keyboard while his sister Isabella sang and was accompanied by other dancing THONers. The duo sang a mash-up of pop melodies; included in the Messina’s set was another Jepson hit, “Call Me Maybe,” One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful,” and Nicki Minaj’s “Starships.”
Following that performance, Cora Beyer took the stage, dressed like Taylor Swift, and sang a sassy rendition of “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” rivaling that of Swift, herself. Beyer, wearing thick black-framed glasses, a trademark of Swift’s, waved an index figure in the direction of the crowd, making sure they understood, that “we are never, ever getting back together.”
“I’m pretty sure this song was made for you,” the announcer stated before, Kaitlyn Good sang her own version of “What Makes You Beautiful,” while a line of orange T-shirt-clad THONers danced in unison behind her.
The next performance was Maggie Patterson who played a brilliantly executed “The Rainbow Connection” on the piano, to an appreciative crowd.
Following Patterson, was Courtney Bardin, who sang a Reba McEntire “I’m a Survivor,” as hands swayed throughout the Bryce Jordan Center.
As change of pace, Amarie and Alexis Gerena performed a hula-hoop routine and giggled while they sang Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj’s “Beauty and A Beat.” One of the sisters, who had been silently hula-hooping, dropped her hoop and sang Minaj’s verse in a perfectly choreographed and timely fashion to a cheering room full of dancers.
Notably, AJ, Alexis and Annabelle Bobby, with the help of some Theta Chi brothers, performed The Black Eyed Pea’s “I Gotta Feeling.” AJ ended the set by leading a “WE ARE” chant, the respond to which drew a huge smile to his face.
Adyson Machemer, dressed in cowboy boots, and performed Lady Antebellum's "American Honey" following the chant, and the Griffith Family closed the show by singing an original song. Before beginning, the frontman of the family stated that, “this is for all the kids who are battling.” The performance ended with the same boy stating a simple, “thank you.”