2 weeks Ago By Janine Graham
Chelsea Kokden says she's "still processing" just how she managed to get through four shows of Schools Spectacular in front of more than a collective 80,000 people over the weekend. Black Friday Sale Subscribe Now! Login or signup to continue reading A poorly timed illness hit her on Thursday and gradually worsened over the two performance days but, in time-honoured fashion, the show went on. And spectacularly so.
The Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts (WHSPA) student left an indelible mark on the 2024 show at Qudos Bank Arena. Having made her debut at the show last year, Chelsea featured multiple times this time around - in a group performance, a duet and a show-stopping solo. She belted out Dami Im's soaring 2016 Eurovision epic, Sound of Silence, at all four performances, though she needs to watch the tape again to truly appreciate the experience.
"It feels like a fever dream, to be honest," she said. "I can barely remember most of it. "The lights and the earpieces mean you can't really see or hear too much, so being able to watch videos has just been the best.
" Chelsea's hoping her performance creates opportunities for her to launch a career once Year 12 is done and dusted. But her satisfaction wasn't all personal. She took joy from watching five other Illawarra stars enjoy their first Schools Spec experience.
Swipe through for dozens of photos "We all learn so much during rehearsals and this year it was so good seeing my friends learning and loving the whole process," she said. Three of her schoolmates - Jayda Ciocci, Kristin Mitchell, and Ruben Aguilera - were among the "featured artists" while Year 10 student Jasmine Whiddon was a backing vocalist. The Illawarra's other performer was Selma Akpina , a Year 5 starlet from Mount Kembla Public School.
You can check out the 2024 School Spectacular Show when it airs on December 14. Onetime sports reporter, chief-of-staff, editor and national digital news editor.Email me: janine.
[email protected] Onetime sports reporter, chief-of-staff, editor and national digital news editor.
Email me: [email protected].
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