CALEXICO - The Calexico Police Department held a talent show for the community this weekend to benefit the department's "Kids N Badges" program.
It was called Calexico's Talent Extravaganza and it was exactly that as 15 Calexico residents took to the stage and put on quite the show, for a great cause.
Guillermo Cital opened the show, probably the hardest task at a talent show.
"I was really, really nervous", he says. "I didn't really have the confidence but my dad and my mom gave me all the confidence to do all this. I had fun".
The place nearly came unglued when Angel Hernandez paid tribute to the King of Pop.
"I just love performing especially because this is something special for the kids", he says. "I just loved every single part of this event. Everything".
Although the "Kids N Badges" program has been around for 9 years, this was the first year that the department organized a talent show to go along with its annual sponsors. Every year the department uses the funds to take under-privileged children shopping for Christmas.
Calexico Police Sergeant Victor Legaspi says, "If it wasn't for the sponsors, none of this would've happened, them coming and showing up and supporting the program. The kids had a great time, the audience; they all had a good time".
The show had a little bit of everything, from pop singers, to Mariachi and even Whitney Houston was brought back to life.
On hand to judge the performances were 4 Hollywood celebrities. Chris Butler from CBS's The Good Wife, Dohn Norwood from Hell on Wheels, Nathan Kress from iCarly, and Daniella Monet from Victorious.
Chris Butler says that the event was much more than what he expected from the small town of Calexico
"We need a school of the arts here in Calexico with this much talent", he says. "There wasn't one act that missed its spot. We had a great time".
Dohn Norwood says that he is just happy to be a part of something very special.
"I love the drive that you have for helping those in need for Christmas", says Norwood. "I'm sure those kids will also love this. That's the other side of the spectrum is that you're also going out and help people".
Monique Perrone closed the show. She didn't get to see any of the performances because she was in the green room but she definitely felt it through the sound of the music and the cheering of the audience.
"It was full of great, positive energy, everybody was singing", she says. "There's a lot of talent in the valley. I'm so glad I came here. They should really put a music school here in valley because it is incredible".
In the end, it was Natalia Lozano who came out on top. She took home 300 dollars, but more importantly, she left quite the mark with her opera performance.
"There's so much talent", she says. "I was back there saying that they're all so amazing. Everyone's a winner in my eyes".
Natalia might've won Calexico's Talent Extravaganza but the real winners are going to be the under-privileged children that will have the opportunity to go shopping during the holiday, all thanks to the community of Calexico.
Social Tools