Editors’ Note: This article features additional reporting by Assistant Editor Jordan Rosenberg.
Dartmouth’s Finest is back! The school’s talent show competition for the senior class is taking place on Friday, March 14 at 6 pm. For many people, Dartmouth’s Finest is one of the most memorable and exciting parts of the school year, with everyone coming together in one room to witness their classmates’ hidden talents and goofy acts come to life.
There is no one more excited for Dartmouth’s Finest than those actually behind it – whether you’re one of the six hosts, Gabriella Montez, Katie Caniff, Olivia Crane, Joey Chedid, Lennox Massuco, and Luke Nelson, or 15 contestants, which is a break in pattern from the usual 10-12.
To find out more behind the process of Dartmouth’s Finest and how the seniors competing feel about the show, I attended a thrilling practice for the show. Even though I did not see everyone’s individual acts rehearsed, I was fortunate enough to witness the rehearsal for the opening number and a little bit of the introductions for the hosts, judges, and competitors. The opening number, although I can’t say much, looks to be the most promising one in all of my years at Dartmouth. Just by watching one hour of their practice, I can tell that everyone involved is giving the competition their all.
Host Luke Nelson said that he’s always tried to participate in student activities and that by participating in Dartmouth’s Finest, he can “show a sillier and more accurate” side of himself.
Contestant Tiago Lameiro said that the most enjoyable part of Dartmouth’s Finest has been “coming after school and hanging out with friends, and getting to know more people that maybe I haven’t talked to [in] my four years of Dartmouth.”
Class of 2026 President Andrew Moniz told me a little bit about the preparation that it takes for Dartmouth’s Finest to be successful. He said that over the last two weeks, everyone has been coming after school to work on rehearsals and making sure everything, from lights to tickets, is top-notch.
Contestant Tom Quinn thinks the most difficult part of Dartmouth’s Finest has been the practices, due to their long lengths. Despite this, he says, the whole experience has still been fun.
Contestant Remy Barber said that “getting out of my comfort zone with my friends by my side has been a rewarding experience.” Alexandra Gonzalez-Lopez, another contestant, said the audience should expect to see “a little bit of everything” and that their show is “very fun and energetic.”
While watching everyone practice the opening act, I noticed how in sync all the competitors were with one another and how meticulously they followed each step of choreography. Like everyone said, it’s hard work, but for each and every one of them, it really seems to be paying off. To see the competitors take the rehearsals seriously makes me eager to witness how everything will look on Friday night, with all the glitz and glam added, heightening their performances.
As for everyone’s individual acts, contestant Jackson Hart said that being able to show off a talent is what inspired him to try out for Dartmouth’s Finest and makes the entire process “very cool.”
Fellow contestant Caleb Chaves said, “There is a lot of originality for this year’s show. I noticed that this show is very different from past ones. I expect a lot of wonderful talent.”
When asked to describe the show in three words, contestants used words such as exhilarating, unexpected, and “good old times.”
Overall, most of the contestants interviewed said that they have become closer with people they were not previously close with, and preparing for the performance has been a great experience that they’ve all shared together.
To find out who will be crowned Dartmouth’s Finest, make sure to buy your tickets for $15 during any lunch shift or at the doors Friday night.
