First-grader Emily Edwards looks toward the crowd following her piano performance at a talent show at Butler Catholic School on Thursday, Feb. 1. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle
Kyle Prudhomme
Between the time he was a student at Butler Catholic School to his days as a volunteer, Tom Martin counted 32 years spent in the halls as his daughter, eighth-grader Kamryn Martin, prepared to perform a snippet as Galinda from “Wicked” in her last BCS talent show before high school.
It was an emotional moment, Martin said Thursday, as he high-fived students shuffling into the gym.
Choosing Butler Catholic for his four children was never a question, he said. He said one of his first teachers in grade school, Mrs. Spino, continues to substitute teach despite being retired.
The family atmosphere and “fond memories” of the school are what stands out in retrospect, he said.
During the talent show, where many students wore bright fluorescent colors to celebrate Neon Day, parents waited to watch their children dance, sing and play instruments.
Tommy, Anthony, Joey and Emily Edwards each played the piano. Their mother, Dianna Edwards, watched with other parents in the audience.
Edwards said she never performed in a talent show as a student, but admires the children for their gumption.
“I really admire their ambition and their energy and their courage to get up in front of so many people to share their talents,” she said.
She said she was drawn to Butler Catholic School because of the dynamic between teachers and students, and the opportunity of pursuing a faith-based education.
The talent show, directed by music teacher Hannah Bossinger, was one activity put on during Catholic Schools Week, a project developed by the National Catholic Educational Association and United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 1974.
During the week, Catholic schools across the country hold church services, invite families, complete service projects and host student activities.
“I think more than anything, we really try to foster a sense of community and celebrate the community that we are at school by incorporating fun activities, inviting parents and loved ones,” said Kathy Dudley, director of operations. “It just really cements that relationship we have here. Catholic Schools Week also helps us celebrate across the country in general — every day is different.”
Students from Butler Catholic School watch the talent show on Thursday, Feb. 1. Many students wore fluorescent shirts to celebrate Neon Day. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle
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Butler Catholic School principal John Hazur jokes with students before the talent show Thursday, Feb. 1. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle
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Sister John Anne talks to students and parents before a talent show at Butler Catholic School on Thursday, Feb. 1. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle
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Many students from Butler Catholic School wore fluorescent shirts to celebrate Neon Day. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle
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Third-grader Martin Shatlock kicks off the talent show by showing off his drumming skills at Butler Catholic School on Thursday, Feb. 1. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle
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Third-grader Averiana Hesky performs a dance solo at a talent show at Butler Catholic School on Thursday, Feb. 1. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle
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Students from Butler Catholic School watch the talent show on Thursday, Feb. 1. Many students wore fluorescent shirts to celebrate Neon Day. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle
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Second-grader Jackie Baptiste belts out a solo during a talent show at Butler Catholic School on Thursday, Feb. 1. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle
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Principal John Hazur hands Sister John Anne the microphone before a talent show at Butler Catholic School on Thursday, Feb. 1. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle
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Prekindergarten teaching aid Betsy Coil films a performance at the talent show at Butler Catholic School on Thursday, Feb. 1. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle
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Hannah Rae, environmental education teacher, performs a solo from the musical “Hamilton” at a talent show at Butler Catholic School on Thursday, Feb. 1. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle
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Dianne Edwards records a piano performance by her daughter, first-grader Emily Edwards, during a talent show at Butler Catholic on Thursday, Feb. 1. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle
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Participants at the talent show await their turn at Butler Catholic School on Thursday, Feb. 1. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle
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Sixth-graders, from left, Amelia Bicker and Kaelyn Gapinski perform a dance duo during a talent show at Butler Catholic School on Thursday, Feb. 1. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle
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Fourth-grader London Green sings “I Want To Tell You About My Jesus” during a talent show at Butter Catholic School on Thursday, Feb. 1. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle
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Eighth-grader Lexi Coyle tosses her baton in the air during a twirl solo in a talent show at Butler Catholic School on Thursday, Feb. 1. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle
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Eighth-grader Kamryn Martin portrays the wicked witch during a talent show at Butler Catholic School on Thursday, Feb. 1. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle
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Eighth-graders, from left, Isla Leyland and Kamryn Martin give a performance from “Wicked” during a talent show at Butler Catholic School on Thursday, Feb. 1. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle
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Portraying the good witch, eighth-grader Isla Leyland performs a snippet from “Wicked” during a talent show at Butler Catholic School on Thursday, Feb. 1. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle
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Students from Traci Ritson’s kindergarten class react to the loud applause after a performance of “The Backwards Alphabet Song” during a talent show at Butler Catholic School on Thursday, Feb. 1. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle
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Students from Traci Ritson’s kindergarten class react to the loud applause after a performance of “The Backwards Alphabet Song” during a talent show at Butler Catholic School on Thursday, Feb. 1. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle
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From left, first-grader Lizzie Jordan and second-graders Natalie Gleixner and Allison Jordan finish a dance performance during a talent show at Butler Catholic School on Thursday, Feb. 1. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle
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Second-grader Natalie Gleixner hoists her pom poms in the air during a dance performance at a talent show at Butler Catholic School on Thursday, Feb. 1. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle
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Hannah Bossinger, director of the talent show and music instructor at Butler Catholic School, joins in on the fun with a solo performance from “The Drowsy Chaperone” on Thursday, Feb. 1. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle
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Hannah Bossinger, director of the talent show and music instructor at Butler Catholic School, joins in on the fun with a solo performance from “The Drowsy Chaperone” on Thursday, Feb. 1. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle
Kyle Prudhomme
