Beat-boxing, slightly corny jokes, and a surprising stage set-up were just a few of the highlights from the senior class of 2016 talent show. On a night storming with both heavy rain and frequent lightning, the Towson High auditorium was a cheerful contrast to the otherwise gloomy atmosphere.

The anticipation was high leading up to the show, as many students had been following the controversy surrounding senior Marcus Shaw’s original poem about police brutality. All eyes were on Marcus and Randall Ainsworth (who accompanied Marcus on guitar) as they walked on stage with duct tape covering their mouths. Their performance was both moving and chilling, drawing attention to a very relevant and crucial social issue, especially for the city of Baltimore.

Marcus wasn’t the only one to write an original work; Aly Murphy played piano while singing her own song “Somebody.” Brianna Brown and Candice Tranks also sang for the show, impressing everyone with their performance of “Wild Things.”

The stage was full of movement as the “Radical Ropers” took action, and the group kept the audience entertained with synchronized jumps and flashy tricks. Kira Lauring, Margit Maple, Corbin Miller, Claire Bolster, Anna Shors, and Julie Burkett proved that jump-roping is way more than a childhood pastime.

“It was really nostalgic to come together again after four years and jump,” explained Kira. “We were all really surprised that we still remembered all of the tricks and routines, and we were all a little nervous to perform again, but we had a lot of fun on stage.”

Krystal Raina kept the audience laughing with her monologue from the point of view of one of Cinderella’s ugly step-sisters and later followed it up with a more melancholy piece called A Breaking Heart. Kori Stokes rocked the stage dancing to a hip-hop version of “Hard Knock Life.”

Ikheem Shehan presented one of the most unique talents of the show, beat-boxing his way around the stage and captivating the attention of the auditorium.

Joe Boozer was the host for the night and kept the transitions between acts smooth with his jokes and anecdotes. And when the curtains opened on the final act of the night, he was right up there with his band (Nick Healy, Aiden Devaney, and John Davis), called J.A.N. Band, on the wooden platform towering over the stage. The group performed two songs and was joined by Lucy Schneidereith for their last song, “Valerie.”

The show was more than a source of entertainment; it represented the variety of passions and skills that the class of 2016 has. Whether it’s through jump-roping or dancing, with their unique variety of talents, the senior class will leave on a mark on Towson High school, and someday, maybe even the world.