To wind down the year on a high note, Northport Middle School Choral Director Vanessa D’Aconti coordinated with staff to create a virtual “Masked Singer” competition. At the start of the competition, 16 contestants duked it out singing songs, including “Daffy Punk’s” rendition of “Purple Rain” by Prince and the tropical musings of “Off-Pitch Panda” singing “Copacabana” by Barry Manilow. At the start of round 2, after students voted for their favorite performances, only eight contestants remained.

The students will continue to vote for their favorite singers until the winner is announced during the week of June 11. The contestants will then reveal their secret identities.

“The kids have been through so much this year, Northport Middle School kids in particular. We’ve asked them to step out of their comfort zones, so the goal was basically to make the teachers feel a little uncomfortable too,” D’Aconti said.