By Shannon Brabner | LAWRENCEVILLE — The second annual Gwinnett’s “Kids Got Talent Show” will be presented on Saturday, March 28, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Students from around Gwinnett County schools will take the stage at Central Gwinnett High School to showcase their talents. The event helps raise funds and awareness for adults with developmental disabilities in the community for Hi-Hope Service Center.
The Master of Ceremony for the occasion will be Jay Dennard, chief operating officer of Gwinnett Medical Center. There will be mystery celebrity judges and a special guest performance by Karl Drake’s Irish Dance and Acting Up Theatre.
Among members of the 2015 Gwinnett’s “Kids Got Talent” cast will be:
- Caylyn Kelley, Duluth Middle School;
- Cecily Davis, Alex Davis and Courtney Lee, Snellville Middle School;
- Ella Riley Patterson, Buford Academy;
- Fernando Castellanos, South Gwinnett High School;
- Kayla C. Jones and Alisha Maxwell, Snellville Middle School;
- Laney Hall, Vantage Point Education;
- Madelyn Green, Gwinnett Online Campus;
- Nilah, Neeyah and Neenah Reid, Snellville Middle School;
- Partee Elementary Dance Team – Partee Elementary School;
- Rylee Sanders, Cooper Elementary School;
- Scerra Jones, Central Gwinnett High School; and
- Sophia Ritch, Duluth Middle School.
Hi-Hope Service Center has a 55 year tradition of supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. Now focusing on adults, it provides support by connecting its clients with integrated opportunities for learning, work and leisure. It believes that individuals with developmental disabilities have inherent value with gifts and abilities to share. Without intentional engagement and support, these gifts may remain hidden and the community may never benefit from their contribution. These individuals are not only a vital resource to our community, but they enrich our lives.
Why a talent show for kids? Leading by example, kids are passionate about giving of themselves to make a difference. These students (elementary to high school in Gwinnett County) are aware of their special gifts and they don’t take them for granted. Instead, they are sharing those talents to draw the community in for a special evening of fun, awareness and support to play a role in ensuring that the critical work of Hi-Hope Service Center continues and grows.
Susan Boland Butts, CEO of Hi-Hope, says of the program: “Hi-Hope believes that everyone can contribute to their community, in their own way no matter their age or ability. Gwinnett’s “Kids Got Talent” gives youth an opportunity to use their talents to help ensure that others can develop theirs. Hi-Hope’s mission is to cultivate community for adults with developmental disabilities, many of whom are consistently contributing to our community through working, volunteering or sharing their own talent. When we all come together, everyone wins.”
The goal: with the community’s help, Hi-Hope can accomplish many goals:
- Provide awareness of Hi-Hope and its programs/services;
- Share its mission with community members;
- Give opportunity for children to be philanthropists and share their talents with the community;
- Ensure adults with developmental disabilities have the opportunity to share their gifts and talents with the community.
Interested in volunteering at Hi-Hope? Contact Christina Pratt at cpratt@hihopecenter.org.
Hi-Hope Service offers a number of sponsorship opportunities tailored to any size business, group or individual. Visit its website for details or contact me, Shannon Brabner at sbrabner@hihopecenter.org.
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