Raw Talent

Raw Talent — page 3 — Thanks for coming today My family is so so grateful that the students of Stonehill High are being so supportive Everybody claps and cheers Farmshine is a fundraiser for Sunflower Farm which has been in Vanessa’s family for generations generations Ever since Vanessa’s dad died in a snowmobile snowmobile accident last spring her mom has been struggling to manage the farm on her own A land developer has offered to buy the land but if we can raise enough money Vanessa’s mom can hire some workers to help and not have to sell the farm We’ve been talking in Socials about the importance of volunteering so the fundraiser is a perfect idea It will be a huge effort but everybody everybody loves Sunflower Farm It’s one of our local attractions with its fields of flowers corn and pumpkins its apple orchard and sugar bush We all want to help We’d do it even if we weren’t getting credit for community service hours Which we totally are so bonus First off I’ve got some awesome news to share Vanessa jumps off the desk Maxine Gaston has agreed to be our mc 2 JOCELYN SHIPLEY

Raw Talent — page 4 — The room explodes with gasps and shrieks Maxine Gaston is a big deal Everybody knows her from her role as Silver Spinner the alien composer in the blockbuster movie The Lost Song Galaxy She’s also been in some popular tv series and she often performs at the Stratford Festival near our town of Stonehill Most of us have been on a school trip to Stratford and seen her in a play or musical Settle down settle down Vanessa says I know it’s exciting But we’ve got a lot of other work to do We’re going to need tons of volunteers volunteers to run things so tell your friends Sound lighting backstage front of house And of course performers Jasmeer pokes me in the ribs You’re going to sign up right I glance over at Heath Vanessa’s younger brother I’ve known him since fourth grade and I've had a crush on him forever I can’t imagine how sad it must be for him and Vanessa to have lost their dad Heath doesn’t look my way No wonder He’s sitting beside Cadence Wang They’ve been a thing since the summer 3 RAW TALENT

Raw Talent — page 5 — Jasmeer pokes me again Right Paisley I really want to help Heath and Vanessa’s family keep their farm But I don’t want to work backstage or sell tickets or be an usher I want to perform Even though the idea totally terrifies me I don’t sing in public Not anymore My dream is to become a successful singer songwriter As a first step I want to audition for our school musical next term So I kind of have to get over my stage fright Farmshine could be my big chance Hello Jasmeer says You didn’t answer my question She knows how scared I am although I haven’t told her exactly why I’m not sure she’d understand She’s into photography and can hide behind her camera Up onstage I’d be totally exposed My stomach is already feeling woozy Shh I’m trying to hear what Vanessa’s saying Don’t forget everyone that Farmshine is meant to showcase all the talents Stonehill has to offer Some of you may not have heard that in addition to the performances onstage there will 4 JOCELYN SHIPLEY

Raw Talent — page 6 — also be a Farmer’s Market set up during inter mission We’ll have flowers and produce from our farm as well as crafts and baked goods for sale So all you bakers and makers out there be sure to sign up too More cheers and chatter Vanessa passes around a clipboard with two sheets of paper When it comes to Jasmeer she puts her name on both the volunteer and the talent lists She’s volunteering to design the Farmshine program and set up the Facebook event page She’s also going to sell cards at the Farmer’s Market made from photos she’s taken of the farm One more thing Vanessa says We’re still looking for a really big name to headline the show Any suggestions I’ve got a perfect one Denzi a pop star who actually grew up right here in Stonehill She’s even more famous than Maxine Gaston And if Denzi came to Farmshine I’d get to meet her But the words don’t come out Not only am I scared to sing onstage but I also don’t even have the nerve to speak up here Heath does though How about Denzi he calls out 5 RAW TALENT

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