On Thursday, March 13, Becton hosted its annual talent show, featuring a variety of performances from students and teachers, including singing, dancing, and even a comedic news update by Becton history teacher Mr. Dorsey!
Seniors Gabriela Penafiel and Jeanine Endara earned first place, Senior Leila Penate placed second and Junior Angelina Saad placed third. Physical Education teacher Mr. Damian Daniello also placed first among faculty members.
Penafiel and Endara captivated the audience with a high-energy pop dance routine infused with hip-hop movements, earning them the first-place title. While dance has always been a shared passion for the duo, the announcement of their win still came as a shock.
Reflecting on the moment, Endara shares, “I really enjoyed the experience of dancing with my friend. It was a special moment for both of us because we share the same passion for dance. We worked hard to make sure our performance was visually appealing and had a strong stage presence. It was a completely new experience to perform in front of so many people, but it helped me prove to myself that I can face any challenge I set for myself. It was nerve-wracking but also empowering.”
Penafiel mirrors this sentiment, “I felt excited, but went in without high expectations. I just wanted to enjoy the moment and show people what I’m capable of. Winning made the experience even more special, especially sharing that experience with my closest friend.”
Embracing her passion for dance, Penafiel shares how it serves as a powerful form of self-expression. “For me, dancing is an amazing way to express myself. It’s a way to release my emotions and connect with myself, which fills me with energy and makes me feel alive.” Endara shares a similar perspective, adding, “I dance every chance I get. I put on music at any moment of the day, and my body moves naturally. It’s something that feels like a part of me!”
Looking back on the unforgettable moment, Endara expresses a whirlwind of emotions—excitement, disbelief, and deep gratitude. “I’m still in shock, with a mix of excitement and disbelief. This has become one of the most special moments of my life—not just because of performing and winning, but because of the incredible support I received from my family and friends. Sharing this experience with my friend Gabriela, who shares the same passion for dance, made it even more meaningful.”
Second-place winner, Penate, performed “Stay” by Rihanna. Although it was her first year participating in the talent show, her peers had encouraged her to join since freshman year. “I’m proud of myself and happy that I had the courage to perform in front of the school,” she reveals.
Music has been an integral part of Penate’s life since childhood, influenced by her father’s involvement in a musical group. While singing will remain a hobby, it is a talent she will always enjoy.
Another contestant, senior Matias Ochoa, took to the stage to perform his original song, “Not Scared Anymore.” He began writing the song in January and completed it about a month later. After listening back, he knew he wanted to share it with others for its unique and relatable qualities.
Music is a tool for Ochoa to express himself. “Music is impactful everywhere, whether we know it or not. I like putting myself out there because you never know who is going to resonate with what you are saying,” he comments. Music is an interest that Ochoa hopes to pursue, and by writing and performing original songs, he is already on his way there.
Senior Jhonnan Merello sang an R&B Spanish song. While knowing that his friends were in the crowd supporting him, he found his act to be “easygoing.” “I love being able to sing. It means a lot to me because I don’t show it all the time, but when I do, it makes people around me happier. I’ve always loved having the talent,” he comments.
Sophomores Zoey Werner and Akansha Sathish, joined by Senior Akash Sathish, performed a rendition of a Bollywood song, titled “Pehla Pyaar”, meaning first love in Hindi.
Werner played the flute, an instrument that has played a big role in her life since the age of nine. While participating in concert band and marching band for about five years, the flute is something she was excited to share with our school community.
Sophomore Sathish was excited to bring diversity to the show, performing the entire piece in Hindi. She takes pride in her culture and feels that singing helps relieve stress. Sathish is also deeply grateful to Ms. Rachel Silverstein for her unwavering support and helping them practice for the big night.
Senior Sathish played the drums, in his words, “bringing the song to life”. He adds, “Performing in front of the school was both exciting and nerve-wracking, but once we started playing, the energy of the crowd made it an unforgettable experience.”
First-place recipient in the staff category, Mr. Daniello, performed the song “1,000 Years” by Christina Perri, singing and playing the guitar. With nearly 30 years of experience singing and playing guitar, he shares his practice routine, “I usually play guitar and sing a few hours a week, so that keeps me prepared for performing whenever I can.”
Since joining Becton as a teacher, Mr. Daniello has performed in every talent show. “I don’t focus on winning an event like this. Music is a passion of mine, so being able to perform is its own reward,” he humbly states.
Ms. Rachel Silverstein performed a classical rendition of Chappell Roan’s song “Good Luck Babe”. While last year Ms. Silverstein sang classical opera; she aspired to perform something more “modern and fun”, in her words. Ms. Silverstein comes from a musical family, singing and playing instruments every weekend in church. Whether she is on stage singing a song or humming to herself, music is a constant. Despite the usual nerves, Ms. Silverstein thoroughly enjoyed being able to perform a song she had not sung for an audience before.
During rehearsals, Ms. Silverstein observed the unique talents of each student and appreciated the supportive atmosphere at Becton. “What I really loved about the event was seeing the student performers support each other from backstage,” she mentioned, highlighting the strong sense of community at Becton.
The talent show was organized under the guidance of Student Activities Coordinator Ms. Jessica O’Driscoll. Seniors Analise Feliz and Isabella Valencia, along with Junior Claire Duardo, served as hosts for the event. The panel of judges included Mr. Castellanos, Dr. Farina, Ms. Morano, Ms. Nunez, and Mrs. Savincki. For those unable to attend in person, the talent show was also live-streamed on the Becton HS Instagram, allowing viewers at home to join in on the excitement.
To view some clips of this year’s talent show, please click here!
