Teens Use Their Talents to Raise Funds

Indian Hills students showed off their talent Thursday night at a benefit to raise funds for two worthy causes.

Teens Need Teens, a peer leadership group, sponsored its second annual talent show, "Indian Hills Got Talent," with teens displaying their musical chops in support of the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer as well as Relay for Life, a fundraising event for the American Cancer Society.

One of the students involved in Teens Need Teens has an uncle diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and the group was inspired to get involved with the Lustgarten Foundation to raise money for research and treatment. The teens also have chosen to give some of their proceeds to Relay for Life and will sponsor an all-night fundraiser at the school this evening in support of the nonprofit.

In total, the school raised $315 that they will be donating to the Lustgarten Foundation for cancer research.

Teens Need Teens is an after-school program for seniors that is based around peer leadership. Various events are organized throughout the year so students can get out and socialize with drug-free alternatives. Advisers Karen Klingner and Tom Kersting have planned an outdoor movie night featuring "Up," which will be playing at Indian Hills on Tuesday.

As a guidance counselor and coach for girl's volleyball, Klingner thinks it is "important to interact with students outside of school and find ways for students to have fun without the use of drugs and alcohol." 

The talent show included mostly musical acts with some dancing interspersed throughout the show. It was open to all grades and students, and at the end of the show a group of four judges chose the winners. 

Junior Emily Locklear came in third place, winning $50; senior Kristen Schwarz came in second place with her song "I Hope You Dance," winning $75; and senior Andrew Schwarz was the first-place winner, garnering $100.