​By Enya Bours

​In support of the Pediatric Trauma Program (PTP), a Kiwanis Cal-Nev-Ha Foundation, around 60 people attended Key Club’s annual benefit show. The show included various entertaining performances by individual students as well as clubs from both Independence and Piedmont Hills, ranging from comedy skits to musical talents. 

The theme of this year’s benefit show was Mario and Luigi going on an adventure to search for Princess Peach, and at every stop along the way, the audience was granted with another performance. Playing Mario was junior Vivian Tran and senior Raymond Dinh as Luigi, with Key Club President Nancy Nghiem behind it all.

The show began with a YouTube style ASMR act by Phung Trinh and Sarah Liu, eliciting ripples of laughter from the audience. Next up was the performance was Joseph Deocares, a solo dancer who pumped up the audience with his dancing skills. Afterwards was Piedmont Hills’ Vietnamese Student Association, performing a cultural Vietnamese group dance. 

Following the impressive performance by VSA was Independence’s Ukulele Club, who performed “Location” by Khalid with a group of ukulele players, a drummer, and three singers. The last performance that came before intermission were the 2TICKMEN, a comedic dance/fight routine with glowing stickmen by seniors Jennifer Nguyen and Charlene Kong. 

During intermission, Key Club offered pizza and water for a dollar each, as well as a chance at winning gift baskets through raffle tickets. 

Following intermission, Key Club gave a thorough presentation on what the purpose of this benefit show was, and at the end the audience played Kahoot and competed for a gift basket prize. 

After the presentation came several musical performances. Junior Maggie Phuong sang “Treat You Better” by Shawn Mendes, and junior Hao Do played an original soundtrack from “Spirited Away” on the piano. They both received an enthusiastic ovation from the audience. 

To wrap up the show, hosts “Mario” and “Luigi” revealed who won the raffle prizes, and concluded with a successful rescue of Princess Peach. 

“After planning this event for months, I can honestly say it went really well and mostly everything went as planned,” Nghiem commented when asked how the benefit show went this year. “Even though there were a few bumps along the way, we raised a total of over $500 for PTP!”

Independence High School has been given the opportunity to attend Hamilton the musical held at the SHN Orpheum Theater. Any student is eligible for a ticket. Even if you’re not part of the Drama program you can still participate.

In order to get a ticket you must do a creative work using the resources provided to you. They will only be provided if you place your name, student ID, and email on a signup sheet which can be found from Ms. Edward’s at class C-409.

Due to ensuring good seats inside the theater, you must turn it in fast. It is ideal to turn it in the next few days or so. All creative works must be turned in before February 15.

The assignment is essential. But, you are able to do any piece you wish, a poem, to a rap, or even a story in a different perspective! You have free reign. You can even partner up with your friends, maximum three people per work. You also must turn in a written or typed up form of the piece so they can submit it.