Patten wins Fort homecoming talent show, schedule of events shared

Members of the Fort Atkinson community were treated Monday to an evening of student talent during the Fort Atkinson High School Homecoming Talent Show. The show has become a homecoming tradition.

According to information released by the school district, A wide array of staff and special guests comprised this year’s panel of judges, including: 

• Brett Ketterman, Fort Atkinson parks and recreation supervisor.
• Justin Frey, Fort Atkinson High School science teacher.
• Kiah Snow, Fort Atkinson High School vocal music teacher.
• Rebecca LeMire, Fort Atkinson city manager.
• Marissa Weidenfeller, School District of Fort Atkinson communications and community engagement director.

Judges were provided scorecards used to evaluate each act based on a number of criteria, including talent, crowd appeal, skill, and entertainment value, among others.

Featured acts included: 

• High school senior Haiden Lee, singing “Open Your Heart,” as originally produced by pop hit icon Madonna.
• Emerson Hagner, a ninth-grade student, singing and playing “Bohemian Rhapsody” on the piano.
• Ninth-grader Gabe Patten, singing and playing piano while performing to his original song “Karma.”
• Abbey Michalak, a 10th-grade student, who playing guitar and sang “Let Her Go,” as originally released by the alternative rock group Passenger.
• Trevor Myren Celkis played drums to Muse’s “Hysteria.”
• Ninth-grade student Ashlynn Hampton sang “Requiem” from the hit Broadway musical, “Dear Evan Hansen.”
• Liz Barganz, Tessa Byrnes, Olivia Brock, Bella McKelvey and Karlye Hansen performed a unique dance and originally composed free-style rap. 
• Special guest, Quinn Rousseau of Stoughton, sang “Sweater Weather,” as originally performed by The Neighbourhood.

Also on hand at this year’s event, the release stated, were a number of student technicians who worked throughout the day to produce the show. Senior Lainie Volquardsen served as the livestream coordinator for the event. Senior Carson Heussner designed the lighting show and operated the lighting console. Ninth-grader Kenzie Cramlet and 10th-grader Alex Garrett-Grandt participated as members of the running crew, moving stage equipment between acts. Fort Atkinson High School Associate Managing Director Katy Freye served as the stage manager for the event. She coordinated the timing of the acts and ensuring that the event remained on schedule. 

While the judges’ tabulated their scoring cards, Rousseau, son of Fort Atkinson High School Associate Principal Adam Rousseau, came to the stage to perform “Sweater Weather” as released by alternative rock group Muse. 

According to the district’s press release, “thunderous applause” filled the theater following the performance. During the performance, nearly all the audience members lit up their cell phones and waved them in the air to the rhythm of the music. 

Additionally, the release noted, Fort Atkinson High School Principal Dan Halvorsen took the stage. He engaged with the audience while sharing details about upcoming homecoming events and told jokes which, the release noted, “had students and parents alike rolling in the aisles.”  

Noah Meier and Drew Evans reminded the audience of available prizes for talent show participants, noting that the first-place winner would receive two free tickets to homecoming and a $25 gift certificate from Frostie Freeze. The first runner-up would receive a single free homecoming ticket along with a $15 gift certificate from Frostie Freeze. The winner of the People’s Choice award would receive a $5 gift certificate from Frostie Freeze. 

Awards were presented based on scores from the judging panel. Rousseau won the People’s Choice award. Myren-Celkis was named first runner-up, and Patton won the grand prize.  

Upcoming events during the Fort Atkinson High School Homecoming week include dress-up days across the district. All students and staff members are invited to participate. Dress-up days are based on the theme of this year’s homecoming: Under The Sea, the release stated.  

Additionally, a pep rally will be held for students on Friday, Sept. 24, at 1:30 p.m. The event will be live-streamed for public viewing. A link will be made available after Thursday, Sept. 23, on the Fort Atkinson High School website, according to the release. 

The Fort Atkinson High School Football team on Friday will face Baraboo High School during the homecoming game. Kickoff is scheduled at 7 p.m. 

Saturday, Sept. 25, will feature a homecoming dance for currently enrolled Fort Atkinson High School Students.