Lights dim. Nerves rattling. Audience silent. Special talent.

Each year, the Interpersonal Skills class puts on America’s Got Special Talent with members of the community from Big Lakes Developmental Center. The IPS class puts on the show, initializing the different skills and talents. Students grouped together to create the acts, based on what the special-needs students wanted to do.

“In class they told us what we were doing, and then we made acts ourselves for whatever we wanted,” mentor Gabriella Radina, senior, said. “There was a contact person for each act and that person was in charge of putting the act together.”

Even getting a little help from the Thespians, the IPS class was able to run sound and lights. Mentor Sam Hall,senior, is in both IPS and Thespians, she was a stage manager for the performance.

“I basically was in charge of stage left,” Hall said. “I worked with the lights and mics. The mics were definitely a big thing and making sure people got on and off stage quickly and effectively.”

Knowing that there would be flaws, the audience created a welcoming atmosphere.

“It was really relaxed, unlike any other show,” mentor Emmy Korenek, senior, said. “Not really tense like regular stuff, and it wasn’t scripted, which was actually the most fun part about it.”

Learning how to help the other students out and make their dreams come to life is one thing that AGST teaches the mentors.

“‘Sweet Nightingale’ was really fun because Hiba [Rasheed, mentee] was so excited to do it and it was great to help make her dream come true,” Hall said. “One thing that I won’t forget definitely how happy Hiba was after we left the stage. She was so excited to see how the audience responded to it.”

Allowing each other to be their own person is something unique that Manhattan High School is able to accomplish through this show.

“It’s so incredible that Manhattan has the opportunity for people, who have these life struggles, to show what they can do,” Radina said. “So, honestly I will take away from it, that we’re all the same and you have to give people a chance.”