An old woman in a hair net and rolled-down stockings sat on a park bench on an empty stage at Roosevelt Middle School on Friday.
An old man, walking with a palsied gate on a wobbly cane, smiled when he saw the old woman. When he tried to sit beside her on the bench, she whacked him on the head with her purse, sending him scurrying away.
The 400 students in the audience ? who each paid $2 to see the frenetic teacher talent show ? roared with laughter.
It was just one of 14 fast-paced and humorous acts the teachers rumbled through to help raise money for the associated student body and to help students blow off some steam.
Hripsime Kaichian, a 13-year-old eighth-grader, said she had never seen her teachers act like that before.
"I thought it was exhilarating," she said.
The acts ranged from skits to singing to a finale anchored by Michael Jackson's classic "Thriller" video.
"I loved it because it was funny and kind of scary, too," said seventh-grader Rena Mkhitaryan, who was slightly hoarse from screaming.
Language arts teacher Pam Zamanis, who seemed to be in every act including dancing like one of the zombies in "Thriller," was still wearing her ghoulish makeup after the show.
"I get my energy from the students," said the 22-year veteran. "I feed off their energy like an energy vampire."
It's important for students to see the teachers having so much fun, she said.
"I think they get to see the lighter side of teachers," Zamanis said. "It gives them a little more enthusiasm ? especially this time of year and for school in general."
Student government advisor Talin Pushian and head custodian Jimmy Mueckay organized the show, which raised about $800. The funds will be used for various student activities at the school, Pushian said.
Madlene Asikian, 12, is the energetic president of the seventh-grade class and a school booster.
"The [Associated Student Body] worked very hard because we want to make sure Roosevelt is the best," she said. And it was a great opportunity for the teachers to show their talents. You will never find teachers as great as the ones here at Roosevelt."
The talent show was a chance for the teachers and students to de-stress, said eighth-grade class President Ellen Varvarian, 14.
"School spirit is very important at Roosevelt," Ellen said. "The students can get to know the teachers better and the teachers can get to know the students so they can bond."
