Dodson's got talent...lots of it

The 2014 Dodson Coyote Spring Program saw nearly 100 spectators pack the high school gym on Thursday night and everyone in attendance was treated to over an hour of singing, dancing, poetry and other artistic endeavors as Dodson School displayed a plethora of talents for the community.

"This is our way of giving back to the community for all you do for us," said Tahani Jones, English teacher and organizer of the night's show which was entitled New Outlook. Jones told the audience that the students picked which type of artistic display they would perform on the night and if the audience's reaction is the barometer of success, then the choices were wise ones.

Up first was a puppet show led Mrs. Haney in which the students worked their puppets through three songs including Coming around the Mountain. The Students in the puppet show where Keonna Medicine Bear, Ithay Heck, Lindsey Fetter, Victoria Kirby, Tanner Ball, Gabe Laroque, Xavier Buffalo, Treyto Stiffarm and Dwight Werk.

"The best part of the night was when I got to do the Puppet Show with Ms. Haney's class," said Keonna Medicinebear after the show.

Mrs. Henry's first and second grade class then did an original dance/song singing a modified version of Boom Chicka Boom. The rendition included a verse about janitors which included the line "broom, push-a mop-a, push-a mop-a push a broom."

Tyra Medicinebear then sang Jesus, Friend of Sinners by Casting Crows before senior Hoot Kienenberger took to the stage, clad in black, armed with an electric guitar and a ton of spunk to perform Eye of the Tiger by the 80's rock band Survivor. After his performance – which got the crowd's hands clapping and finished with the shout of "encore" from the back of the gym – Kienenberger told the PCN how he came up with his song choice.

"Well, I brought up the subject to my Mom," he said. "She reminded me that I have a medium tone of voice. She was trying to think of a song for me to sing and Eye of the Tiger came to mind because it matches my voice. I was like 'yeah, I love that song'."

Kienenberger said that the crowds clapping to the beat helped energize him on stage but that he couldn't oblige the encore request.

"I just had to say 'sorry, they won't let me do another one'," he said.

Keonna Medicinebear then sang Let it Go, a song from the Disney animated feature Frozen, in which she belted out the lyrics and dressed the part to perfection.

"I watched the movie, Frozen, and heard that song and really liked it," Keonna said after signing her song. She said that in preparation for Wednesday night's Spring Show, she practiced singing the song twice.

"It was pretty great," added Kienenberger. "That girl who did the song from Frozen was great. She did it with passion and she dressed up. She had dramatic flair."

Donna Dale gave a speech entitled "Same Sex Marriage" and Jasper Doney read a speech by an unknown author entitled "Anti-Meth." Cyprienne Guardipee did a performance piece entitled Protect your Dreams, taken from the film Pursuit of Happiness.

David Jaynes presented a piece called Rocky Speech in which he quoted Burgess Meredith's character in the film, Mick, as he tried to motivate his fighter, Rocky.

Tobias Jones gave a rendition of Martin Luther King Jr.'s I have a Dream speech. Ashley Scheffelmaer did an original poem entitled Signs. Kyla Racine gave a speech called Abortion which pointed to brutality of the practice.

Cyprienne Guardipee, Jasper Doney and Maxine Plain Feather did a dance piece to the song Jump On It – the lasso twirling jig made famous by the 1990's TV show Fresh Prince of Bel Air before Serena Cuts The Rope gave a stirring rendition of the poem she wrote called Where is You Vision?

Jasper Doney read a poem written by classmate Shawnee Kill Eagle which was untitled. Kill Eagle, unfortunately, was not able to make the performance. Maxine Plain Feather did a pop-locking, Hip Hop themed dance to Will.i.am's #Thatpower, Jacina Doney read a poem she wrote entitled Rodeo Days.

Maxine Plain Feather read a poem written by classmate Brianna Kirkaldie called Memory Poem and Moeika Shambo presented a poem called "Found Poetry" with Jacine Doney reading the piece in her absence on the night.

Jamie Jayne presented an original work or art called "6-Word Memoir." Jayne brought the piece of art to the stage and read it:

"Never give up, you will succeed."

The Junior and Senior classes from Dodson recently made a trip to Washington D.C. and a power point presentation was show to the audience.

Art table included original works from James Beard, Eagle Doney, Paul Doney, Steven Ereaux, Jessica Parker and Dane Strike.

The finale was a handful of teacher from Dodson School who took to the stage and sang Lean on Me.

"It was just a great night," said Kienenberger.