Sisters Act shows off Sisters' talent

With 19 acts and an eager audience of over 400 that filled the Sisters High School auditorium, the 14th annual Sisters Act "A Mountain Home Companion" was ready to begin.

The theme of this year's show was loosely based on the radio program, "A Prairie Home Companion."

Melvin Herberger and sixth-grade student Zachary Lusby emceed the show, kept the audience laughing, and awarded a slew of door prizes ranging from coffee to massages. Sound effects were provided by the Novotny family. The Sisters Act is headed by a committee of six: Theresa Slavkovsky, Barb Wilson, Karly Lusby, Zachary Lusby, Gennifer King and Brian Perkey.

Prior to the show and during intermission, contestants from this year's Mr. SHS pageant showcased contestant-made cakes, which were auctioned to raise funds for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at St. Charles-Bend. Collectively they raised $545 which will be donated as part of the Mr. SHS fund-raiser.

Some of the 19 acts featured in the night's performance included the An Daire Dancers, the Duck Duck Goose Academy and Central Oregon School of Ballet and Folkloric Belly Dancers.

A presentation was dedicated to the late Diane Jacobsen, who had been an active participant in Sisters Act since its inception in 1994. She performed in almost every Sisters Act, and according to Slavkovsky, Jacobsen helped with everything from sewing costumes to cleaning up after the show.

The Sisters Act is a fundraiser that benefits many causes, both locally and internationally. It is sponsored by Good Samaritan Ministries, based in Beaverton. The evening's event raised approximately $2,300, bringing the total money raised since the show's inception to $38,742.

The Masaka Orphanage and School in Uganda is one of the international beneficiaries. The orphanage serves 1,295 children a day; 325 of those are full-time residents at the school. The goal of this year's show is to raise funds to repair the roof, plaster the walls and install shelving for the orphanage, as well as to provide a concrete floor for the cookhouse. "The children of Africa are very grateful for the support that the Sisters community provides for their orphanage," explained Theresa Slavkovsky, longtime Sisters Act organizer and producer.

Locally, a percentage of the money from the show will also go to the Oregon School Employees Association Scholarship for graduating Sisters High School seniors. "It is important that a percentage of the money goes back to the community, and we do this through the scholarship program," said Karly Lusby, Sisters Act committee member.

The show was rated a commercial and artistic success.

"During tough times, it is amazing to see so many seats filled," Lusby said. "Here in one auditorium we are pouring cement for orphans in Africa, helping babies in the St. Charles NICU and Sisters High School students, all at the same time. We have so much fun, and giving back to the community at the same time only makes this an even better event."