The Truly Outstanding Pearson Show (TOPS) isn’t your everyday talent show.
Artistic Director Ashley Daniel Foot, now in his second season, is coordinating the 14th edition of the performance, which attracts some of the Lester B. Pearson School Board‘s (LBPSB) most talent students into one coordinated show.
“Our students are incredible and the more chances you give them to showcase their talent, their passion and stories, the more gifts they will give back,” Foot said.
It takes commitment to be part of this show; students have been rehearsing since January.
Singer Cheyenne Skurczak has been with the show for the past three years, and says she would not have it any other way.
“We practice our solo numbers, our group numbers and we all meet up, we put them together and watch the magic happen,” she said.
All the hard work is for two shows and the pay-off is priceless.
“It’s not just about performing, it’s about making a family and the people I’m surrounded by, they’re my second family,” Skurczak said.
“I love them so much.”
Olivia Shamshoum joined TOPS as a high school student to help overcome her quiet personality.
“If it wasn’t for TOPS, I would still be a really shy person,” Shamshoum said.
“I was so shy, I would hide behind myself, I wouldn’t want to do anything and TOPs has really brought me out of my shell.”
Now an art student at John Abbott College, Shamshoum is back as a mentor.
“If the kids are ever upset or anything, they just come to you and talk to you about their things,” Shamshoum said.
“They share things they don’t share with anyone else.”
Anyone interested in buying tickets can visit the website.
The show will be performed at Lakeside Academy in Lachine on April 7 and 8.