Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by the Pelham Special Education PTA. The Pelham Examiner announcements press releases in the form received as a service to the community.

Extra extra read all about it!  Pelham’s got talent brought to you by Pelham SEPTA, was another success in the books.

Pelham SEPTA’s adopted hashtag, #inclusionmatters brought the show to life with its double meaning. Kids participated from PreK4 all the way to high school!  Students with learning differences and without, it was truly a night of celebration, collaboration, support, and pride.

Evan Donohoe led everyone in the pledge of allegiance just before the festivities began and this will be a standing tradition now and long after our Board’s term! 

Deck the runway. The fashion segment debuted the kids, first in outerwear, then in their Holiday best!  Middle schoolers Gianna Otero and Isabella Colón strut their stuff as they walked up and down the runway in their holiday best!  The best part is that the little ones look up to them with such pride, as the oldest models walking the catwalk.  Doubling down the catwalk, elementary models Jack Cohen, and Ronan Whalen had the crowd on their feet with their moves from start to finish during the walk for outerwear. Let’s not forget Jared Otero who dresses for the occasion when there’s no occasion in his white blazer with red and green Christmas trees and his black shirt and pants that just completed his holiday best look.

Deck the stage. Laila Sakhrani hosted the Festival of Stage Lights Talent segment of the show and this came as natural to her as breathing – An amazing host, job well done Laila!  Talent included PreK singers with amazing lungs holding crystal clear notes, elementary dancers with big personalities, little ones with big voices.  Jack Cohen kicked us off with his dance and by the end he shot a small piece of paper with his number into the audience – we all will be calling him, no maybe about it!  Alexandro and Bruno Colón held the high and long notes for their Christmas songs, When Christmas comes to town and Oh holy night, as their hearts poured into their performances.  Aiden Sakhrani child prodigy danced to Smooth criminal – he was the Smoothest Criminal, those who watched agreed, the next MJ ? No question!  Millie Walters chose and sang such a great song by Billie Elish called When the party is over that the audience joined in because it was so catchy!  Let’s not forget the group dance, Exceptional World of Dance Group, Xmas medley mash up!  Smiles on stage and off.

Deck the halls.  In an amazing segment where artist’s from all over the district, work is displayed, the viewers of this very special art exhibit are tasked to make their way through the hall and write as many kind notes for the artists for us to take back to them after the event.  High schooler, Tobias Frei, contributed his newest collection to put on display and we can’t share just how original and amazing they were!  Pelham SEPTA Co-President Stephanie Otero led the SWAG initiative so we can not leave out our other high school merch pushers that came out fueled and fired to fearlessly wear our new Pelham SEPTA swag! 

Favorite things, Final bow out. Pelham’s got talent’s finale this time around was a song with the group and choreography that made the audience smile.  Singing and dancing to Pentatonix version of My Favorite Things, the act ended but none of the performers wanted to exit stage right.   Parent, Kathryn Cohen, volunteer for the event, handed out beautiful long stemmed red roses to all the children who gave their all to make this night unforgettable!

Final Words.  Families AND the kids.  It was just so much fun for them. In every way.  Elementary schooler Jack Cohen took to the mic to share his experience working with all of the kids over the last three weeks, a very touching testimony – totally impromptu. Thank you Jack!  Families shared that they never expected their child to do more than what they signed up for and were so surprised and full of joy to see their child(ren) do things they never did before, and do it well!!!

For all the group performances, they truly surprised the attendees when Pelham SEPTA Co-President Joanne Colón shared they only ever rehearsed 3 times altogether! 

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Special thank you to the district, Mr. Berkowitz for providing the venue, and the PTA units for spreading the word.  Thank you to board members Jackie DeAngelis and Will Treves for representing the board and showing support as #inclusionmatters.  Thank you to PPS Lauren Ribiero and Greg Lau for joining us for a fun filled joyful evening!

Stay tuned for dates for Pelham’s got talent’s spring edition this May coming to you from Pelham SEPTA.  Don’t miss it!

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Thank you to the families who, without you and your children, we’d have no show!

Thank you also to the Pelham SEPTA Executive Board for taking my vision for this show and bringing it to life -two times running, better and better- every time!!!