Which way to ‘Teen Beach’? Malden High Class of 2027’s Junior Varieties show is a smash hit

The 86th Annual Show is the #2 longest continuous student variety show in the U.S.

 

By Steve Freker

 

The Malden High Class of 2027 hosted the 86th Junior Varieties on Friday and Saturday, March 6-7. It was a resounding success with large crowds, spreading excitement and joy for all who attended the spectacular show. This year’s theme was “Teen Beach” — harkening back to the 2013 Disney hit movie. Even in the venerable Jenkins Auditorium on a weekend where a lingering winter made it a bit colder than usual, it was filled on these nights with sun, sand and beach-related joy to warm it all up.

The Malden High Junior Varieties show holds not only a much-anticipated spot on the school and city calendar, but is a historical marvel as well, since it holds a rare spot in nationwide history. With its first show at Malden High produced in 1939, Junior Varieties 2026 was the 86th consecutive performance, making it the second-oldest. Cony High School’s “Chizzle Wizzle” in Augusta, Maine, is recognized as the oldest and longest-running student variety show in the U.S., dating back to 1891. The show features performances, musical acts, and comedy by students, similarly to Malden High School’s show.

Vocal acts, dance troupes and musical performances by several 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 Dr. Charles Redmond, the head advisor of the junior Class of 2027 at MHS, with dozens of members of the junior class and those from other MHS student class years 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 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 backstage help, the advisors — anyone and everyone who contributed their time and effort, deserve a huge congratulations,” said Malden High ninth-year Principal Chris Mastrangelo. “Hats off to everyone. It was a fantastic show and a memorable weekend for our school.”

Class of 2027 Head Advisor Dr. Redmond said he and his 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.

Thank you to all of the sponsors who supported the event in the ad book for the evening’s program.

 

THE PROGRAM:

 

 

‘TEEN BEACH’: Junior Varieties Cast Listing & Sponsors

ACT 1

The Shoelaces: Cathen Fontanilla, Jhillian Dumo, Keira Celencourt, Audrey Nguyen, Sean Cochran.

Performed “Beaches” by Beabadobee

***

The Fierce and the Fearless (Dance Group): Nourudeen Mossalam, Christaleen Guillaume, Miguel Santos, Skaina Jean, Aleksandra Motzkin, Aayilah Lopes, Abigaelle Leconte,Ndiaye Oliver-Destine, Jenna Cinues and Bethshada Francisque.

Performed a Mashup

***

Jasmin Diaz Gomes

Performed “Bound to You” by Christina Aguilera

***

Wavelength: Sean Cochran, Katelynn Vo, Sorin Mamouzette, Nicholas Li, Josep Galinda Govin.

Performed “Shissou” by Last Alliance

***

Erica Littlejohn on Piano

Performed “Piano Sonata No. 16 in C Major, K545,” by Mozart (movement 1 only)

***

Sea Foam: Kyle Dang, Anniyah Azhar, Esther Noche,, Giovanni Cappachietti, Krystalyn Vo, Katelynn Vo.

Performed “Back to Me” by The Marias

***

GALXC (K-POP Dance Group): Christina Robison-McAskill, Sorin Mamouzette, Ashley Mejia Serna, Sofia Rivera, Esther Noche, Aayilah Lopes, Liliyanna Keogh.

Performed “Killin it Girl” by J-Hope & “FaSHion” by CORTIS

—————

ACT 2

A.O. Step Team: Amanda Retamero Granja, Aiden Tarantino, Taliyah Lauture, Alecia Louigene, Christ-Gnilie Julien, Isathil Hassan, Nyla Ligon-Chambers, Aaliyah Lopes, Nour Howard, Sorin Mamouzette, Christina Robinson-McAskill, Delina Yohannes, Bethshada Francisque, Maliya Kazadi, Phalangecia Jean Charles, Ella Boucher, Oscar Luc, Ndiaye Oliver-Destine, Jaziarra Antoine, Naomi Yohannes, Laura Onyejiaka, Gabriela Parini Cordova.

***

The Bald Ensemble: Christopher Arruda -Ciulla, Jason Chan, Dennis Liu. Jimmy Lei, Raphael Sanchez Martinez, Christopher Arruda-Ciulla, Alexander Arruda-Ciulla, Aiko McGovern, Ernest Chen, Andrew Souders, Anzar Adikhari. Ivan Zhu, John Tran. Kaylana Dearborn, Kenneth Diaz-Osorio, Kenneth Wong, Koji Wong, Prahlad, Korthik, Richard McGovern, Ramon Ortiz.

Marching Band Performance

***

Jacob Fuentes

Performed “My Way” by Frank Sinatra

***

Turnips: Moon to, Audrey Nguyen, Sarah Fontaine, Sean Cochran.

Performed “Still Into You” by Paramore

***.

Halfway Home: Alexander Cioffi, Raphael Sanchez-Martinez, Matt Jason Chan, Nathan Morelli, Ernest Chan.Christopher Arruda-Ciulla, Kenny Diaz Osorio

Performed “Cranberry Chaser” by Raccoon Road

***

The Afro-Caribbean Dance Team: Patricia Mukasa, Abiguelle Leconte, Jaziarra Antoine, Alecia Lougene, Ann-Catherine St. Fort, Betshada Francisque, Nourudeen Mossalam, Alexandra Lamarre, Raphaella Civil. Lanelle Leconte, Ashley Saintvil, Juninho Victor, Beyonce Pierre Rene, Christ-Gnilie Julien, Mitchella Semie, Sorin Mamouzette, Saphirha Depeine.

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HOSTS: Josn Diaz Vargas (Brady), Raquel Ferreira (Mack), Ken Lin (Tanner), Alexia Lima (Lela), Evelyn Ruan (Cheechee), Ivan Chen (Butchy), Karllens Petion (Seacat).

STUDENT COUNCIL: President Amelia Berliner, Vice President Rosalyn Ruan, Secretary Cat Nguyen, Treasurer Sofia Vargas. Social Media Coordinator Evelyn Ruan & Raquel Ferreira, Art Director Trini Le, JV Coordinators Wongel Yohannes & Kamani Gomes, Event Coordinators Emily Weihrauch & Chelmie Hyppolite, Volunteer Coordinator Sofia Evoras.

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SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS: Mayor Gary Christenson and Malden City Government; MHSl Golden Tornado Club; MHS Principal Chris Mastrangelo; Shake Shack; MHS Boys & Girls Volleyball; MHS 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 Fa, 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.