Students let their voices ring at Austin High School Thursday night.

About 16 acts made up the AHS Variety Show put on by the Alternative Learning Center. Money raised at the event funds educational programs at the ALC.

“It is organized totally by students,” said Shirley Morgan, language arts instructor with the ALC who oversaw the event.

Unlike previous years, many of the performers were freshman at Thursday’s show, she said.

The show’s 16 performances focused largely on singing, with improvised stand up comedy and a dance group among the exceptions. Performers chose songs by artists ranging from Cher to Alicia Keys to The Fray, and either went with a musical backup track, played a supporting instrument or sang it alone.

The audience cheered and clapped to the beat on many of the songs, and were quick to shout and applaud in encouragement if the performer hesitated or tripped on a line.

Teresa Chandy, who emceed the event along with Marquita Landis, said the night went smoothly overall.

“All the acts have been really good,” she said.

This was the second year Chandy had taken the stage, and she said she came back because it was her senior year and she wanted to stay involved.

“I thought it’d be a fun thing to do to raise money for the school,” she said. “It’s fun to sit and watch people’s talents.”

While Chandy already knew many of the students who performed, she said she made an effort to connect with everyone as the show was coming together.

The Variety Show originated 16 years ago as a way to raise money for a school project that had been left out of the budget, Morgan said.

“It was organized as a fundraising idea to renovate the annex auditorium,” she said. “Over the years we’ve been fortunate to have much support from the staff and all the students of Austin High.”