Dear readers,

    Have you ever seen the movie “Matilda?” Based on the novel of the same name, the movie has won the hearts of many children in America since its release in 1996.

    The protagonist is a bright little girl named Matilda, who discovers her superhuman powers and finds a better life for herself and others with her gift. In real life, Matilda goes by another name — Mara Wilson.

    Mara Wilson is the actress who portrayed Matilda in the movie. As a child star, she also appeared in films such as “Mrs. Doubtfire.” Last week, I got to see Mara Wilson, an alumna, co-host the talent competition at my university.

    The talent show is held once a year. This year’s lineup was quite diverse and consisted of original songs, face-changing, beat boxing and tap-dancing, among others. The atmosphere was full of energy and excitement. The auditorium was packed, lit up by shining glow sticks waving in the air.

    As we waited for the show to start, giant, puffy balloons were tossed around the auditorium and passed from one side of the room to the other. The stage was lit with dynamic colors and patterns, giving off a different ambience to suit each act.

    The audience cheered and roared; they laughed and looked on amused as the show carried on. Some hummed along with familiar melodies while others danced (in their seats) to upbeat performances.

    The fun environment, supportive audience, talented performances, humorous judges, and, of course, Matilda all made the night seem more like a show than a contest.

    Oh, did I mention that one of the judges was Lady Gaga’s mother? While Lady Gaga wasn’t at the show, we could sure see the resemblance between the two. Here’s a fun fact — Lady Gaga was actually a contestant at the talent competition in 2005.

    So that was my exciting evening. How was yours?

    Sincerely,

    Bingyin