Kokomo puts on a Winter Showcase

Also, Bona Vista's celebrity basketball game draws a crowd for charity

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Kokomo High and Middle School performers presented their Winter Showcase on March 23, featuring the musical and dance groups that competed statewide and achieved state finalist and championship awards.

First up was the always innovative Karisma show choir, directed by Cherresa Lawson with choreography by Rob Dicomandrea, performing Teddy Pendergrass’s “Get Up, Get Down, Get Funky, Get Loose.” The group then sang Unspoken’s “Start a Fire,” followed by “Uphill”, Aretha Franklin’s “RESPECT” and Toby Mac’s “Eye On It.”

Next the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) gold-winning KHS Jazz Ensemble gave a smooth rendition of Bob Turner’s “Absolute Zero,” followed by “Cavanagh Bay,” and “Minnesalsa.”

State runners-up Kokomo Dance Team members Anna Becker and Danielle Gomez then performed their dance duet to the song “Lovely” by Billie Ellish and Kalhid.

ISSMA Vocalist State Finalist Kokomo Advanced Chamber members were up next, once again directed by Lawson, singing “Devil May Care,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” and “Muddy Water.”

State finalists the Central Middle School Dance Team, directed by Gina Curl, performed a mix of hip hop pieces with a Willy Wonka theme. Also state finalists in Hip Hop, the Kokomo Dance Team performed dances to pieces by Iggy Azalea, also directed by Curl.

IPA Division Finalists Kokomo Indoor Percussion kept the beat with their baseball-themed performance named “Batter UP.” Indoor Percussion was directed by Brandon Anderson. Also state runners-up in Jazz Dance, the Kokomo Dance Team returned to perform “Exile” by Taylor Swift and Bon Over.

Indiana High School Color Guard Association (IHSCGA) state finalists Kokomo Varsity A Winter Guard took the floor with its performance of “Haunt Me,” directed by Deanne Wideman, NiKaylah Threlkeld and Alyssa Humburg. This group celebrated its 21st consecutive trip to the State Finals this season, and Wideman received the IHSCGA Envoy Hall of Fame award at the state competition at Avon High School last week.

Finally, Indiana Percussion Association (IPA) state champions Kokomo High School Indoor Winds marching band closed the showcase with “Little Red Riding Hood.” Directed by Justin Ekstrom, with assistance from Bryce Reish and Zach Peycha, the show was designed by Jack Pursifull with music arrangement by Don Barrett.

Bona Vista's celebrity basketball game draws a crowd

March is Disabilities Awareness Month in Indiana, and what better way to promote that awareness in than an exhibition basketball game at Kokomo’s Memorial Gym? That is what Bona Vista did by holding its 2023 Disabilities Awareness Basketball Game for Bona Vista Programs on March 22.

The main event was a game between the Bona Vista All Stars and the Kokomo Celebrity Team. The Celebrities included Kokomo Mayor Tyler Moore, Kokomo Wildkats basketball coach John Peckinpaugh, Paul and Shelly Wyman, Johnathan Rodgers, Ryan Smalley, Brian Cossell, Drew Larison, Jack Hingst, Brian Pier, Mark Jansen, and Ezekiel Zimmerman. Donations were made in the name of the celebrities prior to the event, benefitting Bona Vista Programs.

The Celebrities gave the Bona Vista All Stars an entertaining time with their unique uniform choices, and some of the Celebrities gave a hard time to the game officials on several occasions.

Between quarters, Dance Elite brought out their dance teams, along with appearances by the Kokomo Wildkats varsity and JV cheer squads and the state finalist Kokomo High School varsity basketball team with Coach Peckinpaugh.

The event was emceed by Bree Bragg, and DJ Jacob Jansen kept the event moving with music. The event also included a Pop-A-Shot contest, allowing individuals three chances to shoot a basket from the free throw line for a chance to win two-liter bottles of Coca-Cola.

Bona Vista’s mission is to “build the foundation of success for children and adults regardless of abilities, through encouragement, independence and inclusion in reaching their maximum potential. By working together to create positive attitudes toward people with disabilities, we can create a better society and that is a positive step for everyone.”

See additional photos of the Bona Vista basketball game on the Kokomo Lantern’s Facebook page and group.