Chelsea tastes victory in Athboy school's talent show

There was a wealth of talent on stage for the grand final of 'Athboy Community School Has Talent' Show in the school on Monday 21st May, with the top prize going to second year student Chelsea Nolan. The event was organised by the school's transition year class and was held in the general purpose area in front of a packed audience of students, parents, staff and members of the Athboy public. The school was awash with colour and excitement as 13 acts battled it out for a top prize of a €250 voucher for a recording studio. The night was the culmination of a whole year's work from both the TY class and musical director, Jacqui McGowan, with the senior heats having been held in December and the junior heats in March. The MC on the day was TY student Josh Reid. The whole TY class had backstage roles ranging from sound, lighting and filming to make up and running a shop on the day. First on stage on the night was Rock Band 'Green Army' made up of second year student Aaron King and first years Emmet Meagher, Ryan Sheridan and Myles O'Neill. The lads performed a rousing rendition of Sum 41 track 'Hell's Song' which really got the crowd going and got the event off to a flying start. They were followed by fifth year student Aoife Flynn who sang the Bonnie Tyler anthem, 'Total Eclipse of the Heart.' Next up was second year student Ronan MacNamara with his version of 'Paradise' by Coldplay. Cher's 'Walking In Memphis' followed, performed beautifully by third year student Louise Smith. She was followed by fifth year student Kasey Corrigan who performed a magnificent version of the Snow Patrol/Leona Lewis anthem 'Run'. First year student Stephen Joyce completed the first half of the programme with a superb rendition of James Morrison's 'You Make It Real for Me'. Aine Mooney started the second half on a high with a beautiful piece of contemporary dance set to the tune of 'Crazy' by Cee Lo Green. She was followed by second year Chelsea Nolan who sang the Miley Cyrus tune, 'Can't Wait to See You Again' getting the whole arena rocking with her powerful performance. Next up was another first year, Noreen Purcell, who sang 'Wherever You May Go' by Charlene Soraia. Third year Riona Fox followed on from Noreen by performing 'Defying Gravity' from the hit musical 'The Wizard of Oz' with great passion. Fifth year Claire Murphy was next to take to the stage with a beautiful version of Adele's 'Chasing Pavements'. The penultimate act was Shauna Murphy who brought the auditorium to a standstill with a stunning performance of 'Nella Fantasia' from the film 'The Mission', originally released by Sarah Brightman. The final act on stage was the TY class who had organised the event so magnificently. They did a brilliant version of the Beyoncé classic 'Put a Ring on It' - complete with lively dance moves. The result of the competition was determined by a combination of an audience vote and a three-person jury made up of local Macra member Dara Englishby; award-winning member of St Mary's Musical Society (SMMS), Navan, Ray O'Hare, who has directed three musicals in Athboy Community School in recent years, and teacher Leah Di Lucia, herself also a member of SMMS, Navan. The programme of events finished on a real high then with the announcement of the top three acts. Amidst scenes of much tension and excitement, Shauna Murphy was announced as the third-placed act, Kasey Corrigan scooped second prize but the winner was second year Chelsea Nolan, a very worthy victor. All the students in the show recorded their thanks to the TY class and musical director Jacqui McGowan for their help in preparing for the show.