Mount Vernon High School hosts Hidden Talent Fashion Show

Students, staff, and their families eagerly gathered at Mount Vernon High School for the Mount Vernon Hidden Talent Fashion Show on Friday January 12, 2024. The showcase featured a diverse range of talents, including drumlines, solo artists, dancers, spoken word, and designers, all uniting for a cause close to their hearts. Each performer graced the stage with the hope of impressing the esteemed judges’ panel. 

The event successfully raised funds for the Mount Vernon PTA Council Edith Kaplan Scholarship Fund and contributed to the Citizen Award Fund, benefitting the best and brightest across Mount Vernon. Funds were raised through ticket sales, direct donations, raffles, and concession stand sales managed by Mount Vernon High School culinary arts instructor Samantha Cohen and students. 

"It's wonderful to see students and parents across Mount Vernon come together to raise money in this way," said Acting Superintendent Dr. K. Veronica Smith. “Their participation not only impacts the scholars benefiting from the scholarship fund but serves as a powerful reminder to the community of the positive outcomes when we support the next generation.” 

The evening was hosted by Youth Development Specialists at Rebecca Turner Academy and DJ Brother Muhammed. An esteemed panel of local judges, including Board of Trustee President Lorna Kirwan, Grammy Nominated Granville Mullings Jr, and Dr. Gerard Leotaud, ensured the night was truly unforgettable. Carmen Nemeth, the Musical Director, and MVHS music students provided the audio for the event.  

The judges selected their favorite performers, and the Mount Vernon Leadership Academy drumline, Ice Cold Experience won the first-place prize of $500. Sophia Zavala of Pennington School secured the second-place prize of $250, and Jazmine Deliser from the Denzel Washington School of the Arts claimed the third-place prize of $100. Each contestant received a certificate of participation.  

"I was impressed by the sheer talent on display this evening,” said Board of Trustees President Lorna Kirwan. “There were so many great performances, and I had a lot of fun interacting with the performers. It was a true delight to have been part of this event. Each contestant has a bright future ahead, and I cannot wait to see them in the spotlight.”  

The event raised over $3,500 and counting to support Mount Vernon's scholars, with anticipation for even greater participation in the coming years. Every dollar contributes to preparing the world's next generation of thinkers, doers, and leaders.