Teachers Show Off Their Talents

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Cuomo sporting a smile after his win. (Photo by Sofia Senesie)

Every few years Warren Hills’ Peer Leaders host Teachers and Tiaras, a pageant for teachers to showcase their hidden talents they have outside of the classroom.

This year’s contestants were English teacher Andrew Oakley, Art teacher Vittoria Busardo, English teacher Kristen Chiara, Math teacher Marshall Cuomo, Guidance Counselor Kristina Polachak, Athletic Director Michael Jones, and our very own Principal Christopher Kavcak.

The contestants were judged by their Spirit Wear, Hidden Talent, Resort Wear, and answers to some tough questions.

The judges were Peer Leader Maddie Hamas, Sports Commentator and Substitute Teacher ‘Chip’ Castner, Spanish teacher and 2019  Teacher of the Year Lolitta Trifiletti, and 2019 Mr. Warren Hills winner, senior Duro Ajayi. 

The audience, which was known as “the voice of Warren Hills,” also served as informal judges by giving feedback at certain points in the event.

Each contestant displayed a variety of skills. First to take the stage was Cuomo, who did ribbon twirling. Next was Busardo, with a “Saturday Night Live” parody, followed by Polachak, who showed  off dance moves. Oakley was up next with dance fashion from his college days in his version of Saturday Night Fever, and then Chiara showed her ability to decorate a cake. Finally, Kavcak showed some Warren Hills spirit with his own cheer routine.

After each contestant revealed hidden talent, the judges picked three contestants, Oakley, Cuomo, and Busardo, to continue forward.

Then the audience had a chance to vote with a QR code  using their cell phones, which brought back an already-eliminated contestant they wanted to save: Mr. Kavcak.

Following the audience’s pick was a video of students and staff saying what they liked about each contestant who participated.

Each contestant was asked questions such as, “If you were a breakfast food, what would you be?” to which Cuomo answered “bacon,” and Kavcak answered “pork roll.”

After the silly questions, judges gave the envelopes and the hosts read the results.

Third place was Busardo, runner-up was previous title holder Oakley, and 2019 Teachers and Tiaras champion was Mr. Marshall Cuomo.

Cuomo expressed how happy he was when he won.

“I was extremely excited to compete in Teachers and Tiaras.  I knew I wanted to do something that would make people laugh, and I was looking forward to my talent portion of the night,” he said. “It felt great to win and I was not expecting it.  I had a lot of fun competing, but it always feels great to win.  It was a great night and I was very thankful to Peer, the judges, teacher contestants, and everyone else that made that night possible.”