Apr 1, 2014 2 min read

Living up to her name, Princess doesn’t shy away from the spotlight. But she also wants to share it and help others discover what makes them unique.

Princess, a client of ARC Human Services, helped establish the organization’s first talent show. The Houston-based organization provides support and services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Karen Gleason, an ARC behavior specialist, said the talent show is a chance for clients to shine and show “there’s something special about them in a positive way.”

The talent show will be held 2 p.m. April 12 at Canon-McMillan High School, and tickets are $5 per person.

Princess, 25, of Washington, is one of about a dozen clients who signed up to show off their talents, which will include singing, dancing, art and poetry.

“Princess, one of our clients, is very artistically inclined, and the show was her idea,” Jim Settembrino, director of ARC, said in a news release. “As she shared her vision, many of the staff jumped on board and have been working extremely hard to make this event a success.”

Gleason described Princess as a social butterfly with creative flair.

“She loves anything art, so she does drawing, sketching, singing,” Gleason said. “She creates her own songs spontaneously, which is an amazing skill she has.”

Princess has helped organize other ARC activities in the past, such as a Fourth of July parade float and a calendar.

ARC clients also will be selling homemade baked goods to raise additional money at the talent show. All proceeds will help fund renovations of the ARC workshop to increase accessibility. ARC provides job-training programs, vocational rehabilitation programs, affirmative employment, transportation and in-home services to clients.

Talent show tickets can be purchased through the AAdvantage Foundation. Children 11 and younger will be granted free entry.

“We are excited to have this opportunity to showcase our individuals and their talents to the community,” Settembrino said.