Synchronized swimming and seniors singing were just two of the many talents showcased as Convent of the Sacred Heart held the annual Talent for Tots talent show in the Lennie & John DeCsepel Theater, April 22 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 
Mrs. Lori Wilson, Director of Campus Ministry Upper School Community Service and Summer Enrichment, and the Community Service Club run by senior Tori Carley, junior Abigail Shea, and senior Devika Arjoon, collaborated to organize the event.
“It’s a great time for the school to get together to show off talents and send proceeds to a good cause,” Abigail said.
The Community Service Club and student and teacher volunteers organized the performance lineup and the raffle. The raffle prizes included a free spray tan certificate from ZenBronze, an inspiration basket including a Starbucks gift card, a movie basket with tickets to Bow Tie Cinemas, and baked cookies provided by Mrs. Jenn Bensen, Upper School Academic Dean and Network Exchange Coordinator. Additionally, there was a Uganda themed basket containing Ugandan beading, a passport bag, rosary, and a hand-made basket.
Talent for Tots began with a bake sale, followed by a variety of performances from Upper School students and faculty. The Upper School Bell Choir and the Madrigals also performed.
This year, junior Katherine Farrell and Alice Chidley, a senior at Darien High School, opened the talent show with a synchronized swimming act.   Katherine and Alice have practiced their tango-themed performance since October 2015 under the coaching of Ms. Jennifer Muzyk, Head Coach of the New Canaan YMCA Aquianas Synchronized Swimming team.
Katherine has been a synchronized swimmer for nine years and practices 16 to 20 hours every week. Katherine was just recently named to the USA Junior National Synchronized Swimming Team and is one of the top 22 swimmers in the country. Katherine will represent the United States, competing at the Pan American Games in Puerto Rico during September.

Additionally, Talent for Tots included acts from Upper School Math teacher Mr. Robert Cushman and his wife, Mrs. Kathryn Cushman, preformed “Patriotic Medley,” a piano arrangement by Amy Potter of the Armed Services such as the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines, through the euphonium and piano.
Freshman Kristen Walsh and members of her dance team at East Pointe Dance Company located in Rye Brooke, New York, performed to “Alien” by Britney Spears. Mr. Chris Hemsworth, dance teacher at the East Pointe Dance Company, choreographed the routine. Kristen and her dance partners have been practicing the hip hop and jazz routine for a month. 
Along with the dance routine, there was senior showcase including Sacred Heart seniors performing four different acts. First, seniors Grace Campbell and Alessandra Nocco sang “Over and Over” by Nathan Sykes. There was also a preview of the senior fall play, Jeeves in Bloom. Then, senior Eva Carrasquero sang “You’ll Be Back” from the popular musical Hamilton. Seniors Tess Driscoll and Lydia Currie ended the event singing “I Found” by Amber Run.

The funds collected from the event go to Kalungu Girls Secondary School and St. Bernadette’s Day School, two of Sacred Heart’s sister schools. Kalungu Girls Secondary School is a boarding school in Kalungu, Uganda. The St. Bernadette’s Day School, in Jinja, Uganda, will use the money for a food program within the school. In addition, funds will also go towards tuition at St. Madeleine Sophie School in Chekalini Kenya, a school for developmentally disabled Kenyan children.
– Elisabeth Hall, Staff Writer