GATeS Talent Show in Atlanta enriched children with confidence

The Greater Atlanta Telangana Society (GATeS) Talent Show for the school age children was organized on Saturday, March 18th at Shiloh point elementary school in Cumming, Georgia. 50 participants took part in this event and performed various activities. This is one of the GATeS initiatives to give open stage opportunity for the young talent.

GATeS aims to bridge the gap between Telangana cultural, linguistic and patriotism with the United States of America. Families of Telangana origin expressed concern on many forums to fill this cultural gap. GATeS took this as a pilot activity and showcased many of the children who are actually talented when given the opportunity.

The program started with pledge of allegiance from the US and India, lit the lamp to get started. Motivational speakers from various fields of expertise were called to speak their experiences and share with participants. GATeS Board of Directors Jyothsna Palakurthy, Geetha Narannagari and three high school students and one middle school student, Anshu Ravipati, Jayani Karamanchi, Sumedha Annepu, Vikhyathrana Pannela, did as MC and took care of the performers on stage by welcoming the guests and handing over the certificates and trophies.

Dance, singing, playing instruments, group dance, group singing, Violin, Flute, Rubik’s cube, martial arts, Bazoom, Kuchupudi, Piano, group dances, beat box were most popular among the participants. Each participant was awarded with a certificate and a trophy from the GATeS organization.

Mr. Dilip Tuniki, Johns Creek city council member shared his joy with children and spoke about importance of arranging the open stage for the young children. Mr. Kishan Tallapally, Johns Creek city cultural member, shared his valuable time with children and interacted with the participants.

Dr. Vani Gaddam spoke her experience and spoke about her struggle with learning the instrument to play and she chose her filed to flourish and carry further. She is  a research doctor in education and gave valuable tips on staying focused on goals and pursuing them. Parents interacted with her and shared moments.

Sargent Gunnery Ferraro, marine corps recruiter shared information about career opportunities for the youth in United States Marine corps. Dr. Ganesh Thota, researcher and professor at Emory University shared information about  prospects in science research in Brain study.

Sargent Kennisha Deavers interacted with children and shared her experience in career opportunities in United States Army division. Dr. Nandini Sunkireddy expressed her happiness for associating with Greater Atlanta Telangana Society, and applauded GATeS organization for coming up with Talent show for the local school going children.

Mr. Janardan Pannela, GATeS president, said that his main objective this year is to integrate Telangana culture with united states born children, making them more productive in our communities by involving them in such talent shows, Food drives, Adopt a Road, and all cultural events. He also shared that often youth were left out in organizations like this but at GATeS organization he plans to involve everyone at every level. He thanked GATeS Sponsors, Advisors, EC, Board of Directors, Chairs, Co-chairs, parents, participants, volunteers, media Shivakumar Ramadugu, and NRI2NRI.COM.

Naveen Battini, Sandep Gundla, Prabhakar Madupathi, Ramana Gandra, Ganesh Kasam, Ramakrishna Gandra, Kirthidar Goud Chakilla, Chalapathi Vennamaneni, Naveen Vujjini, Raghuveer Reddy, Kishan Tallapally, past president of GATeS, Sridhar Julapally advisor, Sridhar Nelavelli past chairman of gates, Rajib Mukherjee, Anil Kushnapalli, Arun, Kavati, Deepika Reddy Nalla, Raveender Dasarapu, Sharath Gandra, GATeS EC members, Board, advisors, chairs and co- chairs were present at the event.

It is one of the innovative program GATeS initiated to invite for open stage where one performance will not be judged, and everybody is a winner. Parents of the children who performed at the event expressed overwhelming happiness for the opportunity to perform on stage. GATeS thanked PAKKA LOCAL restaurant for having a food stall at the event and Shiloh point elementary school staff and custodians for a great venue.