WS Chronicle

By Benita Brown

The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Beta Lambda Chapter, hosted an evening of entertainment on Saturday, Jan. 11, at Parkland High School. The 9th annual Broadway Best Spectacular, titled “Winston-Salem Showstoppers,” was hosted by Dr. Beth Day Hairston. Dr. Hairston serves as chair of the Department of Education and associate professor of Special Education at Winston-Salem State University. 

Winston-Salem Showstoppers featured the talent of a number of students from the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School system. The event remained true to promoting the highest ideals of the teaching profession: fostering sisterhood and supporting young people in the schools. 

Elementary schools represented were the Downtown School, Hall-Woodward and Konnoak. Winston-Salem Prep represented middle schools. Carver, Paisley, West and special guest school, Patrick County High School in Stuart, Va., represented high schools.

Participants sang songs, played drums, cheered, danced and stepped in hopes of winning the night’s prizes.  The three categories – Elementary, Middle and High – offered monetary prizes of $30 for first place and $20 for second place.

The three judges, Renee Andrews, Todd Corley and Julie Hunter, tallied votes and decided on winners. The first place winner in the High School category was awarded to Joel Hurt from West Forsyth High School and the second place winner went to Tiara Williams from Carver High School. The first place winner in the Middle School category was awarded to Zaren Sadler from the Downtown Middle School and the second place winner went to Jakayla Conrad, Jihad Conrad and Alex Goodwin of T & C Productions, students from Winston-Salem Preparatory School. The first place winner in the Elementary School category was awarded to the Hall-Woodward Jet Steppers, from Hall-Woodward Elementary School, and the second place winner went to the Hall-Woodward Cheer Team comprised of students from Hall-Woodward Elementary School.

The festivities also included a featured dance number from Mitchell Wimbush, Beta Lambda KUDOS (Youth) from Patrick County High School in Stuart, Va.  Also included were Patrick Sadler, Dean of Students and a music teacher from Kimberley Park Elementary School, and his son Zaren Sadler.  Rounding out the featured selection was a number from Devonte Wells, teacher at Carver High School and Mineral Springs Middle School and the group, The Artists’ Circle (TAC). All three acts were well received with much audience appreciation. 

As the program ended, students and educators took to the stage to participate in the classic Soul Train line.

The night was filled with love, laughter, and talent galore. According to the president of the organization, Donna Mickens, a grand time was had by all.