(Isadora Parra)
The bright spotlight cut through the darkness and lit up the wide stage. It cast a clear circle of light across the floor, making the rest of the space fall into shadow. The edges of the stage stayed dim, while the center stood out under the steady glow, ready for whatever would happen next.
On March 7, at 7 p.m. Bowie’s Got Talent (BGT) took place in the school theatre, and was coordinated by the Bowie Student Council and Fine Arts Department. The sponsors were history teacher Alejandro Garcia, and choir teacher Aaron Bourgeois. BGT is an annual tradition inviting students to showcase their talents in front of the Bowie community.
“We used to have a lot more people willing to audition, people that had really unique talents that they were willing to display for everybody,” Garcia said. “The show used to be much bigger than it was this year. So, hopefully that means that in the future, we can kind of get back to that. People seem to be less inclined to want to try today, because in the words of my own students, you’d end up on social media, and people would be making fun and embarrassing you.”
BGT was revived in 2024, making this year the third installment since then. Previously, the show was known as Bowie Idol, after another popular competition talent show, starting in the mid 2000’s and lasting 15 years, before COVID-19 put it to a halt.
“I did yo-yo’ing and I had started doing it about a week before the talent show,” freshman Ethan Bley said. “I actually really didn’t want to do it at first, but then my friends were egging me on so I just showed up and tried out. It ended up being a really fun experience, and it was cool seeing all the other acts like marimba, singing, piano, and everything else. I liked how much variety there was in the show because everyone brought something different to the stage, and it made the whole event more interesting to watch.”
In the results, Sabrina Wagner placed third for her performance of “Take Me to Church” by Hozier, Henry Pickerill placed second with “You and Me” by Lady Gaga, and the Four Corner Quartet, including junior Spencer Findley, and seniors Aidan Schexnaydre, Gavin Sewell, and Dylan Shahid-Russel, placed first with a performance of classic tunes. The Quartet also competed in the previous year’s talent show, where they placed second.
“We had a whole lot of fun last year, so we decided that doing it again this year would be pretty cool, and Mr. Garcia reached out and expressed his interest in having us return again,” Shahid-Russell said. “We all do musical theatre, so we do have that kind of vocal background by doing rehearsals, listening to harmonies, and practicing. Sometimes it can be a little nerve wrecking and some people think it might be a little weird to do a talent show, but it really is cool to come together and see what people’s passions are.”\
Bowie’s Got Talent highlights the wide range of student abilities and the effort many performers put into sharing their skills with the school community. Students who may seem ordinary in the hallways often step onto the stage with talents that set them apart, showing creativity, dedication, and confidence. As the event continues to grow since its revival, organizers and participants alike hope to see even more students take part in future shows and contribute to the variety of performances that define the night.
“I think what makes Bowie’s Got Talent special is seeing how many different talents people have,” junior Adelita Velazquez said. “A lot of students are really passionate about what they do, and this is one of the few chances they get to show it in front of a big audience. It’s really cool to see people step out of their comfort zones, share something they’ve worked hard on, and support each other while they perform. It makes the whole event feel more connected and meaningful.”
