After a yearlong hiatus, the talent show is making a return to Niles High School.

Sophomore Katy Stelter has her act picked out. She will be singing “Apartment” by Young the Giant. She says the song is about gaining love and losing love.

“It has a deeper meaning to it,” she said.

Although Stelter is part of her school’s choir and glee club, the thought of being alone on the stage has her full of nervous excitement.

“I am really excited to see all the people and what my friends are doing for the show,” Stelter said.

Five high school friends Jacob Whittaker, Brandon Garrett, Patrick Vinnedge, Dylan Clark and Devin Vargo are part of the band, Crossing Parallels.

They will be playing “Perfect Situation” by Weezer.

“We are big Weezer fans,” said Vargo, the band’s drummer.

Vargo said they have been playing together the past few months, but have yet to play together in public.
“This should be a good experience for us,” Vargo said.

Two separate programs will take place in the high school auditorium. The first performance is Friday morning for students. A second show will be held at 6:30 p.m. April 12 for parents. Tickets for the show are $3 for adults and $2 for students. Proceeds go to upkeep the auditorium.

Talent show technical director and math teacher Robert Babler said they’ll have about 15 acts, ranging from soloists singing ballads to rappers to dancers.

“It is a chance for students to show off their talent,” he said. “Some kids are not involved with much, if anything, and this gives them perhaps another chance to be involved with something.”

Babler said high school principal Jim Knoll played a large role in bringing back the talent show.

“A lot of students were disappointed we didn’t have it last year, and he was very aware of this, so even before the end of last year, he made it clear bringing it back was a priority,” Babler said.

Danette Amberg helped organize the show.