Gower student James Lekas is no stranger to the Willowbrook school’s stage as he will perform Friday morning as part of the Gowerpalooza talent show for the fourth time.
He will play the cello as part of a trio performing the Echosmith’s hand-clapping hit “Cool Kids.” The Willowbrook resident will take the stage with Burr Ridge residents Ally Timco on vocals and Tanner Booth on electric guitar.
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“Performing makes me happy,” Lekas, 14, said.
While he has performed on the cello all four years at Gower Middle School, he doesn’t see being a musician as his full-time gig down the road.
“I don’t see it as a career, but I see it being part of my life,” he said.
Lekas, Timco and Booth will close Friday morning’s talent show that will include more than 35 percent of the student body. The show will feature 30 acts and 100 students. The talent showcase was started by teachers Emily Ziebka and Julie Matos eight years ago as an extension of the school’s Spirit Club.
“We were not exactly sure what we had here, and what people would think,” Ziebka said. “But it turned out well and we have been doing it ever since; and it keeps getting bigger.”
She said stage fright does often happen the day of the show as anxiety creeps in when students see a gym full of peers and parents on hand to watch, but all of the Gower pupils get through it.
“We calm their fears and turn that fear into excitement,” Ziebka said. “We include the audience in a lot of things and kids really enjoy the opportunity and look forward to it coming every year.”
The event is a celebration and a fun activity fitting in perfectly on a half-day prior to the start of winter break, said Ziebka, an English teacher at the school for nine years. The event also brings various students together, Ziebka said.
For example, special needs student Olivia Blanke will team up with Amanda Birtch of Burr Ridge and Jenna McClellan, Diana Denemark and Becca Baudhuin, all of Willowbrook, for a dance routine.
“The star is Olivia,” Denemark said, prior to the group’s rehearsal Saturday morning. “She choreographed the entire program for us to dance with her.”
“It was Olivia’s idea to dance with us,” Baudhuin said.
The dance troupe had a few obstacles to overcome at rehearsal Saturday. Blanke was not able to be present and Baudhuin was moving around on crutches when not on stage. But still, the four members of the five-member group present were able to get their steps and moves down in preparation for Friday’s show. The five have been rehearsing for about 90 minutes every day to get ready for the show, McClellan noted.
Emma Pelin will sing a solo for the talent show. She sings with the choir at her church, but a solo in front of classmates is a bit more nerve-racking.
“It will be interesting,” she said.
Friday’s show will begin at 8 a.m. in the gym of the school, 7700 Clarendon Hills Road, Willowbrook.