Kristin Berner, winner of the Huntington High School Talent Show, recently held by the HHS Key Club as a benefit for Kaila Harlan.
“I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember,” says Kristin Berner, Huntington High School sophomore and winner of the HHS Talent Show planned by the Key Club. “It’s always been something I’ve loved to do. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t sing.”
Berner won for singing a cover of the song Fix You by Coldplay, and she accompanied herself on the piano. Why did she choose Fix You? “It’s a beautiful song with a wonderful story if you listen closely to the lyrics,” explains Berner. “I love this song, I’ve always wanted to sing it, and this show just seemed like the perfect time.”
Berner has been taking voice lessos since the 4th grade and piano lessons since she was 10 years old. “I love singing because it’s such a unique and creative way of expressing yourself,” adds Berner. “I’m always happiest when I’m up on stage. I get this adrenaline rush of excitement, and I love that feeling.”
The HHS Talent Show, held at the high school on February 10, was planned as a benefit for 2009 alumni Kaila Harlan, who was diagnosed with leukemia and underwent a bone marrow transplant in October 2011. See http://villagetattler.com/2012/01/30/huntington-high-school-key-club-plans-talent-show-for-february-10-to-help-local-leukemia-patient/.
Despite not knowing Harlan personally, Berner wanted to participate in this wonderful benefit show. “She seems like such an amazing person,” notes Berner, who hopes to pursue her music career when she graduates from HHS. She is interested in attending New York University or the Berkeley College of music in California. “They both have really good music programs,” states Berner.
The Talent Show was organized by the Key Club to raise funds to help the Harlan family pay their medical expenses. “The show was a huge success, raising $8,800 for Kaila,” says Linda Ray, Director of Huntington Cabaret, who was instrumental in coming up with the idea to have the show and contacting the HHS Key Club. Ray organized the auction that was held before the show and during intermission. “The money we raised also includes checks from people who received an appeal from Rich Klein, owner of The Book Revue,” adds Ray. “Klein sent his appeal out with mine to 30,000 customers on his e-mail list, which helped bring in over $2,100, and now he will do the same on his new blog. Some people forwarded the e-mail to their friends and they sent in donations as well or offered to help in other ways.”
The talent show also included a guest appearance by the cast of Cold Spring Harbor High School’s recent production of “Barnum.”
Kaila spoke to the audience before the show. “Thank you for your love and support,” said Harlan. “I am so lucky to have found a match for my bone marrow transplant when so many people don’t find one. I am so grateful to my donor, a young woman who lives in Germany. In two years, I will be allowed to meet her.”
The Steven M. Perez Family Foundation, http://www.smpfoundation.org/, sent Kaila a check for $1,000. “They lost their son Steven at the age of 29 to leukemia and wanted to help Kaila,” adds Ray.
Most of the donations will go to COTA (Children’s Organ Transplant Association), http://www.cota.org/, which has set up an account for Kaila to help pay medical bills that will be related to her transplant in the future.
Kaila Harlan
To make a donation, go to http://www.cota.org/ and look for Kaila Harlan’s name.
Way to go Kristen, we have know you and your family for many years and you are truly a talented and caring girl. Sorry we weren’t there to see you at this great event raising money for someone in need but I know you were great. Keep up the good work and I am sure Berekely or NYU will be fortunate to have you.
Wishing all the best to Kaila.