A surprise show sends students off to break in style

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, December 21, 2022

Vashon High School (VHS) students were treated by a surprise send-off to their holiday break on Friday, Dec. 16, when island producer Debra Heesch arranged a special concert from producer/musician Alda Augustiano, known onstage as Chong the Nomad.

The almost hour-long concert, which began at the end of the lunch period and lasted almost an hour, brought holiday joy to students, according to VHS principal Danny Rock.

“We were happy to send everyone off to [the] break in style, with this high-energy and talented performer,” said Rock, expressing gratitude to Heesch for her effort to surprise and delight students with the concert.

For Augustiano, the show is also now a warm memory — one she will add to her other fond recollections of visiting Vashon.

“[I] Had the best time moshing with everyone,” the performer said. “… Right after the set, I told some of the school staff that ‘cool administration equals cool students.’ I wished my high school cared as much as these guys do.”