For this news segment on WIZS Radio, Henderson on this Friday, May 3, 2024, I wanted to offer you a special first person account of an event I attended last night at Henderson Collegiate. Students arranged and organized and performed the “Let It Shine Talent Show.” The “Let It Shine Talent Show” on Thursday evening at Henderson Collegiate started with a red carpet event at 5:25 and was followed up with a live show from 6 until around 8:30.

Jayden Watkins, a familiar name now in the community as a teenaged minister and preacher, is a student at Henderson Collegiate and the visionary of the show. One of the main purposes of the event was to commemorate deceased alumni with a “Deceased Alumni Tribute.”

Performers, along with the school’s principal, Mr. Taro Shigenobu, spoke about and also used the performing arts to remember: Kasi Thompson, Pride of 2019; Jacob Harris, Pride of 2019; Elijah Brown, Pride of 2019; Jaiah Kearney, Pride of 2021; Caleb Perry, Pride of 2021; Zakera Kearney, Pride of 2024; and Jerry Tavera, who would have graduated with the Pride of 2025.

Family members were in attendance at the performance.

After I had left the school our Jayden Watkins, who is on staff here at WIZS, texted me and said, “Thank you for coming and showing love to all the young people. They truly enjoyed you.” I responded to Jayden and said, “What I saw was amazing. No matter what, everybody in that room had everybody else. There was great talent and love and no judgment. I decided to stay a while and then I couldn’t leave.” And, of course, I said, “You’re welcome.  It was my pleasure. Thank you (and thank you to your school) for showing me something.

Watkins himself was able as a preacher to do something that most preachers can’t do. He offered a three-point sermon in just three minutes as he reflected about what is on the inside of a person. “Let it shine,” he said. “Look in the mirror … Know who you are.” Watkins said, “Shine to divine … Shine while it’s time.”

As Principal Shigenobu closed out the special evening, he noted that Henderson Collegiate is not just about grades and numbers and pointed to the multitalented individuals in attendance as well as those who had supported the performers on the stage.

From my perspective in local media and someone who was able to attend the performance: Great job young women and men. Great job, school. Great job young leaders. Your community is proud of you. And hopefully by having events like this, your community will continue to learn more about your special school and the wonderful people in attendance.

And as far as the program order was concerned, the ECHO Drumline – Pride of Sound performed as did Dakyra “D.K.” Johnson.  Johnson sang as did Keionne Sanford, D’Angelo, Indya Hamrick, Faith Wimbush, Kameron Bullock.  Chelicia Walters offered a testimonial “God is Love.”  Ms. Chloe Jones performed.  Aresia Barrett sang as did Alijah Wright, and Brandon Dukes, Imya “Tae Tae” Bullock and Mekhi Fowlkes offered a musical instrumental. The “Sweethearts” danced.  Dakota Miller sang. Mr. Dedrick Dunton, who they call “Dr. Dunton,” offered a testimonial and sang.  Amirah “MIMI” Weaver sang as did Ju’Tieya Watkins.

Everyone in attendance seemed to have a special time.

My thanks for the invitation and for the opportunity to be on the red carpet and to experience a wonderful evening. This is WIZS Radio Henderson, John Charles Rose reporting.