The Walden School was home on Thursday to singers, dancers, entertainers and even a comedian. But they weren’t celebrities brought in for the event – instead, the entertainers were Walden’s own students.
They were participating in the 5th annual Walden Talent Show at Putnam Northern Westchester Board of Cooperative Educational Services’ Yorktown Heights campus.
Emcee Debbie Canzio, a special education teacher’s aide, says the Talent Show provides another way for the students to express themselves.
"It’s an opportunity to share their talents in ways that don’t happen naturally in the classroom," she said.
All classes at Walden are invited to participate, and many classes had group numbers rehearsed and ready to present to the audience of fellow students, BOCES teachers and staff, and family members. Some students sang or danced to songs on their own, and one even shared his repertoire of jokes.
Louise Cashman, whose son attends Walden, says she enjoys seeing the kids having fun on stage.
“They get to show off in front of their friends and parents," she said whose son has attended Walden for 12 years. “BOCES has been truly awesome for him.”
Canzio says the show is a huge success and the kids look forward to it for months.
“They start asking on the first day of school: ‘When is the Talent Show?’ "
The Walden School serves students aged 5-21 with a variety of social, emotional and learning needs. All Walden’s programs provide high-quality educational services with a unique focus on literacy and positive behaviors.
Editor's Note: Thanks to Ellen Lane for posting the news on Patch.
