The city’s skill was on display on Saturday night at the first ever Portage Has Talent program, which was held in the Portage High School auditorium. The program was open to all students from the city and benefited the local chapter of the Dollars for Scholars Scholarship Foundation. The National Honor Society at PHS was in charge of organizing the show.
There were a total of 26 performances that ranged from a magic show to beatboxing. The NHS chairs of the event, Alex Acosta and Abby Clark, also served as the emcees. Acosta is the NHS president and Clark is the current valedictorian of the senior class.
After the JROTC presented the colors, Jessinia Tribble sang the “Star Spangled Banner.” Freshman Ebony Powell was the first performance of the evening, dancing to “Single Ladies.” The dance was followed by an acoustic guitar display by Ashlee Showalterbaugh and Sarah West.
Seniors Jahmil Crawford and Marcus O’Reily changed the pace with the first of two raps on the night. Later on, freshman Gemel Tribble engaged the crowd with an original wrap piece. Tribble asked that members of the audience to wave their cell phones back and forth during his energy-filled presentation.
There were plenty of great musicians on display throughout the evening. Among them were Natalie Fultz, a sixth grade vocalist from Willowcreek, senior Sam Loza, who sang a rousing rendition of “Hallelujay,” pianist Scott Ershick and Outstanding Young Man participant Dustin Edwards, who played the saxophone.
The only band in Portage Has Talent was made up of PHS students Wesley Engle, Ike Perez and Cody 
Mitchell. Perez took the stage an additional time for a drum solo. Sophomoroe Angela Buchanan, who is also a starter on the varsity basketball team, sang “I’m Your’s.” Ashley Sass and Kyra Fuller also did vocals.
There were a slew of dancers to show off their talent. Sarah Overoll, Raven Weathersby, Precious Turner, Cynthia Hawks, Danielle Carpringlione, Jordan Breezley, the Civic Dance Center group and a Mexican Hat Dance group all reveled in the spotlight.
In addition to all the singing, playing and dancing, there were a handful of unique performances. Kristy Standfield, who graduated from Portage last year and now attends Butler University, returned to entertain the crowd at her alma-mater with a magic show. Adrieanna Coco and Simone Ingram, both members of the speech team at PHS, touched the audience by acting as if they were engaged in a serious debate. Seventh grader at Fegley, Bruce Fannin, wowed the crowd with his beatboxing skills.
The youngest participant in the event, Jones Elementary third grader Jessica Escobedo, did not falter of the pressure of the high school stage. Escobedo was able to keep her concentration during an impressive Hula Hoop routine.
During the 20 minute intermission, free treats were provided to all of the guests. Tee shirts were available for purchase and there were silent auction items to bid on. All of the proceeds from the silent auctions, the entrance fee and the tee shirts went toward Dollars for Scholars. On Friday, March 11, a similar event will take place at the same venue. The annual Portage High School Variety Show will return and is scheduled to include some of the same participants as the Portage Has Talent program.
Click here for more photos from the evenings' talented young performers!