Each spring, the West Sierra League (WSL) auditions acts from each school to perform in the traveling talent show. Numerous campuses throughout the league hosted performances, the final of which was held in Ground Zero, Feb. 28.

?As a league, each year we do the talent show to bring our schools together without the competitive sports setting,? Associated Student Body Vice President Kevin Damm, ’09, said. ?It also gets students involved within the league that maybe don?t play sports or they have a special talent they want to show off.?

Hours of practice and years of experience motivated instrumental soloists Jesse Todd, ’10, and Danny Ibarra, ’11, of Fresno Christian to audition and perform in the production.

Todd began playing the drums five years ago. He started with the snare, and gradually made his way to a trap set, a collection of drums and cymbals. Besides drumming as a hobby, Todd plays in his church band every Sunday.

?I did well, even though there was some tough competition,? Todd said. ?I think I was probably one of the top performers.?

As emcee Samantha Krikorian, ’08, introduced Todd on stage, most of the crowd of his peers confirmed their support with applause and cheers as he began his drum solo.

Ibarra began at the Liberty-Madera High show with the piano ballad, My Heart Will Go On, from Titanic.

?At Liberty, I did my act and messed up a lot,? Ibarra said. ?Playing the piano is pretty boring, so I decided to make it a challenge and play the song blindfolded.?

Ibarra continued performing with a blindfold because of the reaction he received during his Caruthers High performance.

?The crowd at Caruthers went crazy when I put the blindfold on,” Ibarra said. “They were chanting my name even though they didn’t know me. It was exciting. Playing in front of people I know was hard, though, when FC hosted it, because they?re more likely to judge me.?

Ibarra’s finale took place not during the performance but after, when he grabbed a bouquet of flowers from behind the instrument and, on one knee, asked Cassidy Hutchins, ’11, to the Night of the Stars.

“I knew Danny was going to ask me,” Hutchins said. “I found out two weeks before, although I didn’t know how he was going to do it. I was still surprised.”

Ibarra’s performance concluded the show, which was followed by the presentation of the awards, consisting of first and second place winners for both the north and south WSL. For the south, Rex Honda of Fowler High took first place with Anthony Delgado of Firebaugh High winning for the north. Both first place winners received bragging rights as well as $100 cash.

Despite a broken arm, Honda played the guitar and harmonica while singing his own song, “Bottled Up”.

?I was surprised that I won,? Honda said. ?I honestly thought my friends would win. I don?t think I have that good of a voice, so I was pretty doubtful. The song that I wrote is based on my experiences.?

Delgado, ’08, played the guitar and sang, “Ring of Fire”, along with a trumpet accompaniment, written by legend Johnny Cash.

?I love performing, and I?ve been doing it for two years, so I wasn?t nervous at all,? Delgado said. ?I?m in a band called Buried in Oblivion; it’s very hardcore, a lot different compared to what I played today.?

Dos Palos High’s Jasmine Penn, ’08, performed an Alicia Keys hit, “No One”, earning the second place award for the north, while Kelly Lagle from Liberty represented the south with her creative dance.

Many enjoyed the Chinese-themed event and appreciated skipping seventh and eighth periods to watch it.

“The talent show went really well and everyone was very talented,” Ronnie Giannetta, ’08, said. “The decorations were pretty cool and Sam and John (Dinsdale, ’09) did a good job emceeing. I also didn’t mind missing some school to watch it.”

For a photo on the Talent Show’s northern winner, check out Firebaugh talent Cashes in. Those interested in checking out freshman Danny Ibarra’s bind-folded performance can read, Serenade times two.