EMS Benefit Talent Show to raise money for Joplin Fire Department toy project

(From East Middle School Roundabout)

A full afternoon and evening of entertainment are on tap 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, December 1, when the East Middle School Student Council presents a benefit talent show to raise money to buy toys for the Joplin Fire Department's annual Christmas for Kids project.

Holiday gift baskets, including the ones in the accompanying photos, will be up for silent auction throughout the day. A concession stand will be open.

The entertainment is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. with a performance by the JEMS Show Choir, under the direction of Ms. Julie Yonkers, followed by EMS teacher Randy French showing rope tricks, and then the crowd will receive a welcome blast of holiday spirit, courtesy of the EMS cheerleaders.

Other acts that are set for definite times at this point include the Cady family, including Joplin High School senior Hannah Cady, which will perform at 5 p.m., EMS counselor Karensue Hensley at 5:30 p.m. and the evening will end with one-hour shows from the nationally-known gospel group, the Victorymen, featuring eighth
 grade history teacher and Student Council sponsor Mr. Rocky Biggers at 6 p.m. and oldies/country/rock group Natural Disaster, featuring eighth grade communication arts teacher Mr. Randy Turner at 7 p.m.

Other acts scheduled to entertain between 4:30 and 6 p.m. include EMS students Audrey Hampton, Desirae Orlaski and Melinda Adams, Alley Gemser, Michaela West, Carly Ball, and Abigail Russell, Joplin High School students Kenya Schmidt, Mason Finnell (doing his famous unicycle routine), Taryn Parker, and Brooklyn Vickers, and Joplin High School graduates Sarah Kessler, Mary Jean Miller, and Skye Smith.

A complete schedule will be posted tonight on East Middle School Roundabout.

Cost of admission is $1.

(Top photo- Melanee Day and Taylor Goff show one of the gift baskets containing items collected by seventh and eighth grade students. The other photos show baskets created by classes, teachers, organizations, and employees at East Middle School.)