GOWANDA — On March 31, Gowanda High School held its annual Cabaret Night at Gowanda’s Hollywood Theater. The event was free to attend, and featured family friendly performances from the Chamber Choir, Mixed Chorus, and several other performances, like soloists, small ensembles, an a cappella group, bands, and more. And the event, as it normally is, was incredibly successful, with members of the Gowanda School Board heaping praise on the event. Members Barb Weston and Dollene Christopher each expressed how wonderful the event was, with Christopher saying she likes the energy it brings.
“Every year, I see the same thing,” said Christopher. “I see students who are overwhelmingly, actively cheering on and supporting their peers. It’s a mix of students. It’s kids who play sports, kids who are musically inclined, shy kids, outspoken kids, there is a wide range of students who participate and yet, nobody is left out.”
Christopher said she attended the event when her children were in school, and has kept attending every year because of how much fun she has at it.
“People feel part of it, and accepted,” said Christohper. “The reason I love it so much is because they act as a team, and the collaboration that happens through that teamwork is amazing.”
Christopher said she has had the ability to go to different large corporations and businesses in the area, and with how these places reach out to educators to recruit employees, Christopher said events like the cabaret can help students in the future.
“The one thing they want from educators… is they want students or adults coming from high school to have soft skills,” said Christopher. “They want them to be able to get along with each other, work as a team, and support each other. They have a difficult time finding that. They want districts to understand that’s what makes a successful person… The soft skills are as important for success and this is a great example.”
Donations were accepted at the door to benefit the Hollywood Theater, and the school district expressed their gratitude toward the Hollywood theater for allowing the performance to occur there.
