Broadcaster Press 3 March 10, 2015 www.broadcasteronline.com Show Choir Get Down to Business at Rhythm in Red by Sarah Wetzel For the Plain Talk Vermillion High School was busier than usual for a Saturday last weekend as the school’s show choir, Rhythm in Red, hosted its seventh annual Show Choir Invitational. To some, like Rhythm in Red director Trisha Fisher, it seemed more of a family reunion. “There’s this thing in show choir, this bond that we just share,” Fisher said. “I always say that we’re like this extended family. We spend too much time together sometimes and don’t like each other for a while and then we love each other again. You’re like our invitational family. Thank you so much for supporting our program.” Fisher also made a point to thank the parents for all their hard work and support as well as the school janitors for agreeing without complaint to say later and help clean up from the day. To those in the audience it seemed as if Broadway itself had come to Vermillion as they were repeatedly brought to their feet. It was not uncommon to sight a teary eye or tapping foot among the fans. The competition included seven visiting teams from Sioux Falls(SD), Aberdeen (SD), Groton (SD), Elk Point (SD), and Wahoo By Alan Dale Rhythm in Red ran their seventh annual Show Choir Invitational last week. Though they could not compete, this did not stop them from putting on a show. SARH WETZEL / FOR THE PLAIN TALK (NE). The competition emcees were Randy Hammer, Mitchell Olson and Gretchen Burbach, all show choir alumnus. Olson and Burbach both fondly remembered their days in Vermillion High School’s own “Swing Choir” back in the day, even appearing in costume to announce the awards at the end of the day. Though Rhythm in Red was not able to compete, they still put on a stunning performance before the final awards ceremony to thunderous applause from their loyal fans and friends. “This is our favorite performance because everybody’s here to support us and the entire auditorium is full,” said Rhythm in Red member Jessica Brady. Brady went on to say that the fact that they were not being judged only added to the enjoyment. “It definitely takes the stress off,” she said. Fellow member Jack Brown agreed. “There’s nothing at stake so you can have fun with it,” he said. During the competition, Rhythm in Red members worked as hosts for the other teams and backstage crew. Brady was one of the hosts. “It’s hard to judge AAA schools versus the A schools because there’s so much less people,” she said. “Washington has like 60 kids on stage and they have to put extra risers on the back and the sides so they can fit everybody. Then there’s like us who have like 30. So talent-wise it’s kind Students Continue Attack ‘Shark Tank’ Creatively Vermillion High English teachers Teramie Hill and Carla Kozak have spearheaded the competition which is being helped along by the Vermillion Chamber Area & Development Company (VCDC). “Our lesson plans are centered on getting students comfortable with public speaking and modeling good presentation skills,” Hill said. “At the same time, students are creating prototypes, models, or complex drawings of their products to prepare for the competition. Next week, after the first round of presentations, they will work on “word choice” and prepare commercials for their products. “(On March 11) we will show the commercials and then announce who has made it to round two, which is on March 19.” So far Hill has seen a high level of engagement from her students. “Our students are incredibly excited to showcase their products,” she said. “It’s amazing to hear some of the higher level thinking displayed in their conversations and see the follow through with For the Plain Talk Sharks continue to circle around some freshman English classes at Vermillion High School. Problem is that these sharks are actually the freshmen themselves. This week students prepared their presentations for the first round of their Shark Tank simulation that would run Thursday and Friday. The competition, which began last month, is based on the ABC show of the same name, and aims to emulate much of the program’s premise. The show features a panel of potential investors, called “sharks”, who consider offers from aspiring entrepreneurs seeking investments for their business or product. The sharks do receive money for their participation, but they invest their own money. The entrepreneur can make a deal on the show if a panel member is interested. However, if all of the panel members opt out, the entrepreneur leaves empty-handed their products.” The students are finding out the highs and lows of work like this, but are learning plenty about themselves. “The most fun part of this project is to take the ideas that we have and make it into the real deal or close to that,” freshman Anneliese Taggart said. “The hardest part is making sure you have every detail and everything else the sharks might ask. So you have to know everything about your project: how much it might cost, the equipment that you may want to purchase and stuff like that.” Taggart’s group came up with an “Innovative hairbrush” with a rubber piece behind the bristles and when the piece is torn out, its take out the hair with it instead of having to do so with one’s hand. There is a storage compartment to keep a comb in and another compartment in the back of the head of the brush. What’s made things even easier for the teachers is that the stu- Wednesday, March 18th, 2015 at 7 p.m. Please call 605-253-2524 for an appointment. Jim Danielson, Clerk HEINE Electric and Irrigation Hartington, NE (402) 254-2568 Vermillion, SD (605) 670-9567 ALL TYPES OF DIRT WORK. FREE ESTIMATES. 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Product Demonstrations and exhibits will include: Waterline & Electric Trenching n RHYTHM, Page 7 John & Barbara Bernard dents are taking charge of the project. “The kids are policing themselves, setting goals for meeting deadlines, and learning how to compromise and work with others to achieve that final product,” Hill said. “Many groups have even been seeking out expertise from other VHS teachers to help them develop or better understand the science behind their products.” And some of those products? “Mrs. Kozak and I have been •ATTENTION• The Garfield Board of Supervisors will meet as a Board of Equalization at the Marshalltown School of hard to judge because they’re so different.” Teams were judged on different aspects of vocals, choreography and overall production. “You get points for being diverse,” Brady said. “A basic set is five songs. You have a guy/girl song then it’s just the girls then it’s just the guys. Then you all come back together and do a ballad where you just stand there and sing to show off your vocals. We have dance breaks in the middle.” Part of the reason for the length of the competition was the multi-step process each team went through according to Brown. “They arrive here, get ready, we take them to warm up, they warm up for half hour or so, then they do sound check which is on stage,” he said. “Then they perform. After they perform they go to get a critique.” Brown and Brady said the reason for the critique is for the judges to give the teams tips on how to improve their performance. “Every competition you go to, you can better your show,” Brady said. Rhythm in Red has already completed two competitions and is set for another one over Spring Break in Chicago. • Home Builders • Design & Construction • Windows & Doors • Gutters & Siding • Lighting & Electrical Supplies • Construction Products • Millwork • Heating & Cooling • Water Conditioning • Sunrooms, Fencing & Decks • Closet & Garage Organization • Fireplaces • Financial Institutions ...& much more! Get Inspired... The Lewis & Clark Home Builders Association Home Show is designed for home owners in all stages of building, remodeling, landscaping and decorating their homes. Thank You To Our 2015 Sponsor: