‘DESPICABLE ME-JUNIOR VARIETIES HEIST’: a ‘Minion’ reasons for Malden High Class of 2026 show’s success

Two tremendous shows held this past weekend for 85th Annual Junior Varieties show

 

By Steve Freker

 

There were a “Minion” reasons for its success and once again the student performers “stole” the show  – literally, this year, with the title theme of “Despicable Me: Junior Varieties Heist.” This past weekend the 85th Annual MHS Junior Varieties talent show was held in the historic Thornton Jenkins Auditorium at Malden High, and once again, it was two nights to savor, another pair of memory keepers. With “Despicable Me’s” “Gru” and his Minions ruling the roost, it was another revelation and “showout” for many talented Malden High School students.

The host of the evening was Malden High Class of 2026 officer Oscar Luc as “Gru,” and assisting him as cohosts were Gabriella Lemus (Margo), Fiona Youmell (Edith), Rashmi KC (Agnes) and “Minions” Audrey Nguyen and Ashley Mejia Serna. Vocal acts, dance troupes, musical performances by three rock bands and some combined vocal and instrumental efforts added up to a fantastic mix. (Full cast list in separate story)

Malden High School educator Nancy Wentworth and longtime staff member Jeanne Marquardo are the advisors of the Junior Class of 2026 at MHS and with dozens of members of the Junior Class worked for several months to prepare and then put on this event. The Junior Varieties show is THE biggest fundraiser for the Junior Class each year. Each graduating class at MHS works for all four years to raise funds to help defray the cost of the Senior Prom in their senior year.

“This was a great show, one of the best ever, and all of those who worked so hard to plan and then coordinate the performances – from on stage performers, to back stage help, the advisors – anyone and everyone who contributed their time and effort, deserves huge congratulations,” said seventh year Malden High Principal Chris Mastrangelo. “Hats off to everyone. It was a fantastic show and weekend for our school.”

Head Class of 2026 Advisor Nancy Wentworth said she and her Junior Class members are forever grateful for all the support they received from the Malden High School administration and staff toward making this year’s Junior Varieties show such a tremendous success. Wentworth also thanked all of the sponsors who supported the event in the ad book for the evening’s program. “It is so important to help these students down the road so they can all have the opportunity to attend their Senior Prom down the road at an affordable cost,” said Wentworth.

Wentworth also penned this personal note in the Junior Varieties program book: “To the Amazing Class of 2026 Student Council: I couldn’t be prouder of this incredible group! Their dedication, leadership, and hard work never cease to amaze me. Somehow, they juggle school, jobs, sports and still give their all to our class and school community.”

“Even though I didn’t get to cast a vote, I couldn’t have handpicked a better team. Their passion, teamwork, and drive make everything they do truly special, and their efforts in making Junior Varieties a success are just one example of that. It’s an absolute privilege to work with such an outstanding group, and I’m beyond grateful for all they do!” Wentworth added.

 

 

DESPICABLE ME: Junior Varieties Heist Cast Listing & Sponsors

 

ACT 1

“Frequency”

Scott Mamouzette, Sean Cochran, Nicholas Li, Manal AbouKhalil, Katelynn Vo

“American Idiot” by Green Day

***

Faela Jasmin

“Rise Up” by Andra Day

***

The Afro-Caribbean Dance Team

Saniah Charles, Samara Perez, Jaziarra Antoine, Alecia Louigene, Taisha Balan, Olivia Ivy, Soleil Mathurin, Bertha Jean-Louis, Christina Anasthal, Gyonvanna Gomes, Dulmiah Amiscar, NaZirah Scott-Previlon, Sabriel Jonathas, Samantha Bien-Aime, Emanuel Elie, Patricia Mukasa

***

Jasmin Diaz Gomez

“No Me Queda Mas” by Selena

***

Aromatherapy

Mailee “Moon” To, Beverly Tong, Jennifer Slawson, Milan Nguyen, Heitor Soares

“Get You” by Daniel Caesar

***

GalXC (K-Pop Group)

Zi Jefferson, Nashlyn Rubert, Christina Robison-McAskill, Sorin Mamouzette, Aaliyah Lopes-Teixera, Ndiaye Oliver-Destine

“Drama” by Aespa

***

Linh & Sarah

“When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars

–––––

ACT 2

“Rusty Screw”

Sean Retotal, Heitor Soares, Slade Harding

“Just the Two of Us” by Bill Withers and Grover Washington Jr.

***

Stephanie Wong

“Fictional” by Khloe Rose

The Bald Ensemble

Christopher Arruda-Ciulla, Raphael Sanchez Martinez, Alexander Arruda-Ciulla, Alex Drinkwater, Aryan Adhikari, John Tran, Dennis Liu, Kenneth Wong, Kenny Diaz Osorio, Richard McGovern, Slade Harding

***

A.O. Step Team

Amanda Retamero Granja, Amber Berfield, Saniah Charles, Neyonca Honore, Alecia Louigene, Delina Yohannes, Samantha Bien-Aime, Taisha Balan, Kihara Desert, Betshada Francisque, Christina Anasthal, Aaliyah Lopes-Texeira, Olivia Ivy, Sorin Mamouzette, Sabriel Jonathas, Christina Robinson-McAskill, Oscar Luc, Ella Boucher, Na’Zirah Scott-Previlon, Taliyah Lauture, Laura Onyejiaka, Zaire Debel, Soleil Mathurin, Dulmiah Amiscar, Ndiaye Oliver-Destine, Ashley Benfield, Abigaelle Leconte, Bertha Jean Louis, Samara Perez, Jaziarra Antoine, Sabriel Jonathas, Zi Jefferson

***

Natalie Keating

“They Just Keep Moving the Line” by Smash Cast

***

Powerful in Pink

Julianna Fonzi, Destiny Leon, Isabel Jones, Beatriz Oliveira, Nourudeen Mossalam, Milliani Diaz, Samara Perez, Alecia Louigene, Julianna Rua, Thalia Da Silva, Patricia Mukasa, Alexis Lee, Christaleen Guillaume, Sophia Nguyen-Guerrero, Carolina Rosa, Ashley Saintvil, Taliyah Lauture

“Sticky” by Tyler the Creator

___

 

HOSTS: Oscar Luc (Gru), Gabriella Lemus (Margo), Fiona Youmell (Edith), Rashmi KC (Agnes), Audrey Nguyen (Minion Stuart), Ashley Mejia Serra (Minion Otto).

STUDENT COUNCIL: President Linh Do, Vice President Rashmi KC, Secretary Gabriela Parini Cordova, Treasurer Avani Chhetri.

Social Media Coordinator Amanda Retamero, Art Director Mailee “Moon” To, JV Coordinators Vin Chau & Haset Tesfaw, Event Coordinator Fiona Youmell, Volunteer Coordinator Oscar Luc.

BACKSTAGE: Curtains/Stage Manager Vin Chau, Haley Le, Ndiaye Oliver Destine, Jenayah Moreno, Caroline Santos, Julia Fonseca, Derek Lam, Emilee Tortorella Barbosa, Sydney Gordon.

SPOTLIGHTS: Nelly Bautista Matias, Arfiana Fuente Reyes, Leica Naceus, Haset Tesfaw.

SOUNDBOOTH: Francis Jireh Doza, Xander Hassan, Advisor Nancy Wentworth.

SCRIPTWRITERS: Rashmi KC, Gabriella Lemus, Fiona Youmell, Vin Chau.

___

 

SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS

Mayor Gary Christenson and Malden City Government

The Malden High School Golden Tornado Club

MHS Principal Chris Mastrangelo

Shake Shack

Malden High Boys & Girls Volleyball

Malden High Baseball

MHS Library Reading Challenge

MHS Class of 2028

MHS Class of 2025

MHS National Honor Society

Petrone’s Pizza of Malden

MHS Guidance Staff

Le Macaron French Pastries of Somerville

Legal Sea Foods of Somerville

Friends of Class of 2026 – Ewald Charles, Karen Bogan, MHS Nursing Department

Fuji at Assembly

Sophia Casaletto

Martin Berryman

Patrons & Past Performers: Katie Nguyen, Josue Quispe, Saniah Charles, Steve Freker, Jaslie Fang, Kevin Hoang, Patrick Finnegan, Lucia Musilli, Michael Lightbody.

Salon Viari of Malden

Skybound Fitness of Malden

Maldonian – The MHS Yearbook

Friends of the Malden Teen Enrichment Center

621 Tavern & Grille of Malden

MHS Rainbow Lions

Martin’s Florist of Malden

Salt & Stone of Somerville

Stuco CO ’27

Town Line Luxury Lanes of Malden

Grandma & Grandpa Youmell

MHS Ping Pong Club

Malden Councillor-at-Large Carey McDonald

MHS Leadership Team: Mrs. Rhodes, Mr. Charles, Mr. Bates, Mr. Payeur.

 

 

CAPTIONS:

 

(Advocate Photos/Henry Huang)

 

Photo 1

Frequency (photo of guitarist Nicholas Li) performing “American Idiot” by Green Day. (Advocate Photos/Henry Huang)

 

Photo 2

Hosted by (right to left ) Aubrey Nguyen, Ashley Mejia Serna, Oscar Luc, Gabriella Lemus, Fiona Youmell, Rashmi KC (Advocate Photos/Henry Huang)

 

Photo 3

GalXC dances to “Drama” by AESPA. (Advocate Photos/Henry Huang)

 

Photo 4

Linh (piano) & Sarah (singer) perform “When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars (Advocate Photos/Henry Huang)

 

Photo 5

MHS Principal Chris Mastrangelo takes the stage in a cameo appearance and fends off the Minions with some of their favorite food, bananas! (Advocate Photos/Henry Huang)

 

Photo 6

Rusty Screw – Sean Retotal, Heitor Soares, Slade Harding (right to left) perform “Just the Two of Us” by Bill Withers and Grover Washington Jr.

 

Photo 7

Stephanie Wong sings “Fictional” by Khloe Rose

 

Photo 8

The Bald Ensemble performs “FE!N” by Travis Scott

 

Photo 9

A.O. Step Team performing

 

Photo 10

Natalie Keating performing “They Just Keep Moving The Line” by Smash Cast

 

Photo 11

Jinh Tran of Bald Ensemble gets hyped up.

 

Photo 12

The entire Junior Varieties cast takes the stage to celebrate at the end of the job.