More than 20 teen performers showcased their talents to a packed house Friday night at the first showing of Sumner High School’s Annual Benefit Concert. 

This year, proceeds from the event go entirely to Jennifer Nash (no relation to the author) and her family. At 28, Nash developed transverse myelitis, a neurological disorder that affects the spinal cord.

“In 48 hours, Jennifer went from an active, healthy woman to being paralyzed from the chest down,” John Norlin said. “Because she lost her ability to do things like drive a car or watch TV on the couch with her family, this year’s theme is ‘Appreciate The Little Things.'”

“Hours and hours” of work went into organizing and rehearsing the concert, according to student event Chair Conner House. After seeing  the turnout for the first evening of the concert he was sure the $10,000 fundraising goal would be met, he said.

Students covered the gamut of performances, from song and dance to Japanese poetry translation. Nash’s younger sister Christian Fernandez opened with an interpretive dance to Beyonce’s “Halo.” Justin Neidermeyer brought down the house early on with his rendition of “Mr. Cellophane” from the musical “Chicago.” In the video, the masked CLF Dance Crew performs a dance set titled “Jabbawockeez Tribute.”

A second performance of Sumner High’s Benefit Concert will take place Monday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m.