Columbia High School raised more than $1,500 for the Albany Social Justice Center at its Talent Show on May 12 in the school auditorium. The show, which was presented by Ethnic Coalition, featured a variety of acts performed by students including music, comedy and poetry.

Congratulations to the Talent Show winners Nicholas Pugliese, Shea Thorpe, and Cheyenne Bott!

Contestants:

  • Mia Williams – Reading an original poem
  • Holly Thorpe – Singing “Love Song” by Sarah Bareilles
  • Nick Rizzo – Playing on the piano “Don’t Stop Believin” by Journey
  • Josh Trop – Playing on guitar and singing “Pompeii” by Bastille
  • Ozzy Szczesniak – Singing “The Strays” by Sleeping with Sirens
  • Shea Thorpe – Playing on the piano and singing “The Way It Is” by Bruce Hornsby
  • Aries Raphael – Playing guitar and singing
  • Snakkee Grant & Elizabeth Carrier – Performing “HOT” by 17
  • Alex Saddlemire – Singing “Cut Off” by Set It Off
  • Nick Pugliese – Performing an original comedy skit
  • Niyah Ventrice & Phillip Maughan – Singing and playing “Lovely” By Billie Eilish & Khalid
  • Cheyenne Bott – Singing “Tennessee Whiskey” by Chris Stapleton

Special thanks to the judges Mr. DeFrias and Mr. Lapolla and to the hosts Niyah Ventrice, Estreya Bennett, Mark Kamauff, Sophia Damiani and Sophia Arduini!