By CAROL SOUTH
TRAVERSE CITY -- From opera, rap and rock 'n' roll to juggling, dancing and Kung Fu, Traverse City's Got Talent.
So say two dozen-plus students in Andy McTavish's second-hour economics class at St. Francis High School.
A show of the same name featuring a dozen auditioned acts debuts Saturday at the school's Kohler Auditorium. This small business proposition, the students' Junior Achievement project, has an overarching mission of making money. Students will later decide whether to donate proceeds to charity or a school project.
An underlying mission, however, is to create an evening of great entertainment while showcasing some amazing performers. With a nod, of course, to the popular TV show "America's Got Talent."
"The title, obviously, sprang from that," said Sean Paquet, a senior at the school who is the public face of the endeavor. "The structure of (our) show is a little bit different, though. We were thinking of making it a gong show but didn't want to gong any of the acts. But that's still in the works, we might throw in a surprise."
It's a long way from a Junior Achievement project's usual sell-a-product business model. But a show was born after small-group brainstorming sessions and general discussion, students voted classmate Paul Britten's idea No. 1.
"We narrowed it down to the three best and this was one of them," Paquet said. "Other things were selling sleds and swine flu kits. This was something different and we all thought it would be a pretty cool idea."
Putting the word out via fliers to area high schools and launching a Facebook page, the class hosted auditions on two evenings last week. While a hoped-for throng did not materialize, eager to try for the $500 first prize and $250 second prize, the dozen or so acts that comprise the show are all teens. Except one.
Weighing in for adults is David Peck, a retired professional juggler who teaches American government, AP American history and world religions at the school. After going through his act, which includes balls, clubs, fire, knives and his 3-year-old daughter, Veronika, Peck reflected on the students' enterprise.
"I think this is a fantastic idea," he said. "An imaginative concept by the econ class -- I think this has a tendency to make them a lot more profit than other projects might."
Traverse City's Got Talent judges include two teachers from St. Francis and one from Traverse City Central High School. The students deliberately reached out to the other high schools hoping to boost both on-stage and in-the-seat numbers.
"We've had talent shows at our school before but to invite other schools we can see what everyone can do," said Anna Shrift, a senior at St. Francis who will sing in the show accompanied by Katy Jenkins, also a senior, on piano.
Smaller performances and some improv by the emcee will be interspersed throughout the show, keeping a lively pace for the evening.
"We have this kid who's really good at doing the Rubik's Cube and another really good at miming, and we'll put these people up there in between for side shows," Paquet said. "It's a family event, whoever wants to come."
TC's Got Talent will be held on Saturday at St. Francis High School's Kohler Auditorium. Doors open at 6:30 and the show starts at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are $7, call 944-3648 to make a reservation. Tickets at the door are $8. Cash or check only.
