• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Lakewood Ranch fifth graders show off their talents

McNeal Elementary School students perform in annual fifth grade talent show.


  • By Liz Ramos
  • | 2:00 p.m. May 26, 2022
  • East County
  • Schools
  • Share

The cafeteria and stage at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School went dark. 

Suddenly, a red light, blue light and green light beamed from the stage. 

Students in third through fifth grade erupted in applause as they saw "Star Wars" come to life on stage during a performance from fifth graders Gus Walsh, Lukas Nantes, Keagen Terry, Jeffrey Davis, Preston Fulmer and Jude Arbanis. 

A battle of good versus evil took place on stage as Walsh, Nantes, Terry, Davis, Fulmer and Arbanis portrayed various "Star Wars" characters including Kylo Ren, Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Mandalorian, Count Dooku, Luke Skywalker and Darth Maul during McNeal Elementary's annual fifth grade talent show May 26.

The talent show is a tradition fifth graders can participate in each year. 

"It's an honor," fifth grader Isabella Lawton said. "I remember watching the talent show when I was younger and wanting to do it. Now we're getting to do it."

Lawton performed an original dance to Katy Perry's "Firework" with friends and fellow fifth graders Stella Guido and Cora Kovatch.

Fifth grader Jude Arbanis as Darth Maul fights against fifth grader Keagan Terry, who is playing the Mandalorian. The boys are big
Fifth grader Jude Arbanis as Darth Maul fights against fifth grader Keagan Terry, who is playing the Mandalorian. The boys are big "Star Wars" fans.
Principal Cheryl McGrew welcomes students in third through fifth grade and parents to the annual fifth grade talent show. McGrew says the talent show is something younger students can look forward to in fifth grade.
Principal Cheryl McGrew welcomes students in third through fifth grade and parents to the annual fifth grade talent show. McGrew says the talent show is something younger students can look forward to in fifth grade.
Fifth grader Isabella Lawton dances to Katy Perry's
Fifth grader Isabella Lawton dances to Katy Perry's "Firework." Lawton says she and her friends chose the song because it was upbeat and it celebrates the end of the school year and the start of a new chapter.
Fifth grader Avery Ruffing dances to Hannah Montana's
Fifth grader Avery Ruffing dances to Hannah Montana's "I'll Always Remember You."
Fifth graders Jeffrey Davis, Lukas Nantes, Preston Fulmer. Keagen Terry, Gus Walsh and Jude Arbanis perform one of the most popular acts of the talent show. Students chanted
Fifth graders Jeffrey Davis, Lukas Nantes, Preston Fulmer. Keagen Terry, Gus Walsh and Jude Arbanis perform one of the most popular acts of the talent show. Students chanted "Star Wars" as the boys exited the stage.
Fifth grader Sugan Fernando performs a keyboard solo.
Fifth grader Sugan Fernando performs a keyboard solo.
Fifth grader Emily Harris plays ukulele while singing Bruno Mars'
Fifth grader Emily Harris plays ukulele while singing Bruno Mars' "Count on Me." Some students quietly started singing along.
Fifth grader Haylie Thompson gives advice on how to avoid eating green beans during her monologue. Her advice includes hiding them under mashed potatoes or feeding them to a dog.
Fifth grader Haylie Thompson gives advice on how to avoid eating green beans during her monologue. Her advice includes hiding them under mashed potatoes or feeding them to a dog.
Karyn Nantes and her husband, Alex Nantes, are proud of their son Lukas Nantes for his performance in the talent show.
Karyn Nantes and her husband, Alex Nantes, are proud of their son Lukas Nantes for his performance in the talent show. "Next I'll see him in Hollywood," Alex Nantes says.
Fifth grader Ava Arroyo encourages students to read the
Fifth grader Ava Arroyo encourages students to read the "Harry Potter" series before going into a monologue of her favorite quotes from the books.
Fifth grader Isabella Padgett shares her artwork in a slideshow while explaining the different forms of art she works on and her style.
Fifth grader Isabella Padgett shares her artwork in a slideshow while explaining the different forms of art she works on and her style.
Fifth grader Lily Bertrand's talent is strength, so she shows a video of her doing a squat with weights.
Fifth grader Lily Bertrand's talent is strength, so she shows a video of her doing a squat with weights.
Fifth graders Isabella Lawton, Cora Kovatch and Stella Guido put together an original routine to perform.
Fifth graders Isabella Lawton, Cora Kovatch and Stella Guido put together an original routine to perform.
Fifth grader Cora Kovatch says the talent show being one of the last activities she participates in at McNeal Elementary is sad, but she's excited to see what middle school has to offer.
Fifth grader Cora Kovatch says the talent show being one of the last activities she participates in at McNeal Elementary is sad, but she's excited to see what middle school has to offer.
Fifth graders Gus Walsh and Lukas Nantes give audience members high fives as all the performers go around the cafeteria for a final bow.
Fifth graders Gus Walsh and Lukas Nantes give audience members high fives as all the performers go around the cafeteria for a final bow.

 

Latest News

The Sarasota Orchestra bought a site on Fruitville Road for its Music Center in 2023.
  • May 16, 2026
Want to be where the people are? You have to go east.
Manatee County opens applications for Tourist Development Board
  • May 15, 2026
Manatee County opens applications for Tourist Development Board
Sarasota County this week activated the traffic light, the first of its kind in a roundabout in the area, the county said.
  • May 15, 2026
Traffic signal added to Apex Road roundabout
Amanda Parrish was named interim CEO of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. in January.
  • May 15, 2026
Manatee County economic development evolves

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Schools

Seniors Eliana Yeboah, Suzan Ikele, Jeffrey Crabtree and Sara Johnson are among the first class of graduating seniors to complete all four years at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy.
  • May 13, 2026
East Manatee seniors prepare for final assignment: A graduation speech
Caroline Bartlomiejczuk, Sage Alcorn and Sofia Ortega are members of the orchestra at Lakewood Ranch High School.
  • May 6, 2026
Lakewood Ranch High music department earns national recognition
Rangeland High School, previously referred to as AAA High School, is being built near Premiere Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch and is set to open to freshmen and sophomores in August 2027.
  • May 1, 2026
New school in Lakewood Ranch is officially named Rangeland High School
Elisa Massaro, a senior and battalion commander of the Lakewood Ranch High School Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps, is glad to have had the support of her teachers Richard Roller and William Cassidy.
  • April 29, 2026
Lakewood Ranch High JROTC program loses longtime leaders
The Country Club East Park, a place of both community and convenience for Willis Elementary families, will be closed off starting May 29 for nine months to build three youth baseball fields.
  • April 28, 2026
Manatee delays construction at Country Club East Park after parents state concerns
Zachary Papper and Dillon O'Callaghan carry Tatiana Moskalenko, who plays Tanya, as she sings "Does Your Mother Know" in The Out-of-Door Academy production of "Mamma Mia!"
  • April 27, 2026
'Mamma Mia!' graces the stage at The Out-of-Door Academy

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free