Davis Factor shows off students’ talents

PHOTO:  Senior Jesse Valle sings as senior Jefferson Wright performs as a backup dancer.

By Naneh Grigor

BlueDevilHUB.com Staff–

Backstage at Brunelle Hall last Thursday, 11 acts warmed up for the Davis High Factor. The acts consisted of singing, a juggling show, a KPop performance and more. 

Sophomore Kesler Wang had a broadsword performance that he had been working on for the past year. “Right now before I go on stage, I’m feeling cold,” he said.

One of the hosts for the night, Sophomore Dominic Corbett. “What comes with being one of the hosts is that you have to be ready to improvise at any time on stage. You have to stay fully ready no matter what,” he said. 

In the choir room, there was a mix of many different kinds of music as the singing/dancing acts were getting in a final moment of practice before it was time to go on. DHS senior by the stage name Michi, and her K-POP dance group were playing the song “LOCO” by Itzy for their K-POP dance. “I’m a little bit nervous. We’ve only had a week to practice and it was totally new choreography I didn’t know. The others are very good dancers and they’ve helped me a lot so I’m excited to see how it goes,” she said. 

As the audience took their seats and the acts were ushered backstage, the lights went down. Blue Devil mascot Diablo performed a tap dance that brought a standing ovation when they stumbled off the stage. 

Soon junior Micheal Harrington took his spot and began his performance. He wowed the audience with his musical talent but especially judge Anthony Vasquez. “It behooves me to tell you that you were cookin,” he said. 

Following Harrington, the Blue Notes band, junior Mimi Abbkar and junior Uma Armien, serenaded the audience with their songs. 

Kesler Wang made his appearance and flipped around the stage with his (fake) sword that left the crowd in a silence of awe. 

Next, junior Mako Barrios sashayed into the spotlight where he lip synched to the song “I Will Survive ” along with back flips and an emotional interpretation of the lyrics. 

Following Barrios came junior Ian Gaffney and his circus as he juggled while the others unicycled and walked on stilts across the stage without a single stumble. 

Michi and her group took their places next as they executed their practiced routine without a hitch and quickly became a crowd favorite. “I just wanted to join the party. It was amazing,” judge Natasha Bach said. 

Junior Ava Giovannettone performed an original song she had written called “Still Here.”During her time on stage, flowers were thrown by the crowd and most of the audience pulled out their phones to wave their flashlights in support. 

Simone Austin went up next, singing the song “Saving’ All My Love,” amazing everyone with her belting. 

Lastly, The Series 7, a musical group of seniors that Running Deer Valley, Gio Polanco, Dylan Jayalath, Daniel Heringer, Jefferson Wright, Owen Stevens and Jay Doctor performed. 

To close out the night before the winners were announced, Spanish teacher Tim Nelson gave a musical performance with his guitar that got every person in Brunelle to sing along with him.

There were two awards to be received that night: The Judges Pick and the Audience Pick. 

Wang received the Judges Pick as his show left an impression on the judges. “I’m very very tired and very very very happy,” Wang said after his win. “I messed a few things up but I feel like I did good.”

The winners of the Audience Pick were The Series 7. “We’ve never hit it that hard at practice so I’m glad the audience noticed,” Wright said. 

“An amazing experience,” Jayalth said. “Totally hype,” Stevens said. 

“Right now I’m feeling impeccable, amazing, splendid, words can’t describe what we’re feeling,” Valley said.