History

March 28, Wapakoneta, OH—The Show Cards and Cardinal Company completed their competition season in fine fashion. Cardinal Company finished second in the Unisex Division, with Christina Otte earning Best Performer honors. The Show Cards finished first in the preliminary competition, winning the Class A Championship and the Best Show Concept award along the way. They dropped to second place in the finals, but collected the Best Choreography trophy as part of the evening. Lyndsay Detzel was honored as the Best Performer. The hard-working Cardinal Syndicate performed brilliantly in three shows and earned compliments from the judging panel.

March 14, Fairfield, OH—The Crystal Classic is always a tough competition and this year was no exception. Competing in a field of excellent choirs from several states, the Show Cards continued their streak as finalists and proved themselves to be serious contenders. Finishing the day as third runner-up, they wowed an adoring audience and earned praise from an experienced judging panel. Torrance Tolle was named as Outstanding Performer.
Cardinal Company gave an appreciative crowd what was perhaps their best performance to date and finished as first runner-up in the Unisex Division. Amanda Carrier earned the Best Performer nod for the day.

March 7, Midlothian, VA —The Show Cards gratefully accepted an invitation to compete in the Central Virginia Show Choir Invitational. It was exciting to see the type of showmanship produced by the east coast schools, and the group was warmly welcomed by Clover Hill High School. The day was one of tough competition, but in the end our heroes dazzled the capacity crowd and finished second overall, capturing the Outstanding Choreography trophy along the way. Keith Nelson and Lyndsay Detzel were recognized as Outstanding Performers by the judges. The next day was spent sightseeing in nearby Washington D.C., and the group returned home early Monday morning, tired but satisfied that the trip had been all they’d hoped for. Meanwhile it’s on to Fairfield . . .

February 28, Kettering, OH —Both groups trekked to Fairmont High School, competing there for the first time. Cardinal Company finished second in the women’s division with Ashly Salyers saluted as Best Performer. The Show Cards continued their streak as finalists, finishing third overall and missing second place by only half a point. Brandon Abernathy was recognized as the group’s Best Performer for the day.

February 22, Cincinnati, OH —Although the group did not compete on this weekend, several Show Cards supplied entertainment for an important community event. Paige Dobkins, Olivia Haller, Akeem Campbell, and Adrianna Boris treated the CHS faculty and PTA leadership to some delightful music during a special luncheon at the Outback Steakhouse. Always willing to serve the community, the Show Cards once again took the lead in making Colerain Township a richer, more exciting place to live.

February 14, Loveland, OH —Along with the ladies of Cardinal Company, our heroes acquitted themselves well at Loveland High School, continuing their streak as finalists and finishing second overall. Connor Lozier was selected as Outstanding Performer for the day. Cardinal Company finished second overall in the Unisex Division, with Diane King chosen as Best Performer and Rachel Vice awarded the prize for Best Female Soloist in the competition.

February 8, Cincinnati, OH —The Show Cards performed admirably for their annual Dessert Theater. There were approximately 600 present, and the audience was treated to solo numbers from various members of the group as well as the 2008-09 competition show. Thousands of dollars were raised and the Show Cards once again proved themselves as ambassadors for the school and community.

January 24, Piqua, OH —Faced with a difficult final exam week, no rehearsal time, and some personal tragedy, both the Show Cards and Cardinal Company, along with the Cardinal Syndicate, elected to cancel their participation at Piqua High School. The groups set their sights on Loveland High School and began preparation, which was interrupted by a blizzard that dumped 10 inches of snow and ice on the area and forced a four day school closure.

January 17, Aurora, IN —Both Cardinal Company and the Show Cards traveled to South Dearborn High School to compete in what has become a favorite venue. Cardinal Company, up first, was stunning in their premier competition performance, earning excellent plaudits from the judges and finishing second in their division, as well as capturing the People’s Choice Award for the day. Amela Pampur was selected as the group’s outstanding performer.
Later that afternoon, the Show Cards took the stage against some tough competition. A scorching performance, however, earned them a spot in a truncated finals group that evening. Performing for the second time (the third show of the day for the hard-working Cardinal Syndicate) the group received a standing ovation from the judges and the audience. Our Heroes captured the second runner-up spot, and Brandon Abernathy was selected as the outstanding performer.

January 10, Marysville, OH —Battling freezing temperatures, snow, and some ice, the Show Cards made it safely to Marysville High School only to learn that a few competing choirs had elected not to attend the competition due to travel concerns. Carrying on, the group performed in the afternoon and was called back for finals that night. The evening show was sizzlin’ hot, and the judges were complimentary in their remarks. Lauren Barth was singled out as the outstanding performer of the day. Sometime after midnight the group tiredly packed away their equipment and headed home, taking a different route as necessitated by weather and safety issues.

January 9, CHS, Cincinnati, OH —Despite the threat of snow storms, the auditorium was sold out for Premier Night. The Show Cards, Cardinal Company, and Cardinal Heat from CMS performed beautifully, unveiling their 2009 competition shows to an appreciative audience. Microphone problems complicated things somewhat, but the three groups entertained so brilliantly that little notice was taken of the sound difficulties. Immediately afterward our stage dads loaded the equipment truck which was bound for Marysville the next day. The season was off to a promising start.

April 2-6, New York, NY - Following a chilly spring break, the Show Cards gathered themselves once more for rehearsal and then headed for the Big Apple. Sight-seeing and shopping were the order of the day upon arrival. The group also enjoyed a workshop with Broadway actors and saw the musicals Grease and Legally Blond while in town. On Saturday our heroes gave New Yorkers a sampling of Mid-western show choir, working in a concert hall without backdrops or costume changes. Despite the adjustment in contest rules and procedures, the group finished second and won the praise of the judges. It was a solid way to end the competition season, and the underclassmen began preparation for the coming 2008-09 auditions. With a half-dozen community dates left on the calendar, the “Mystery of the Night” show now begins its passage into Show Card history.

  March 15, South Dearborn High School, Aurora, IN — The snow was gone and the skies were clear as Our Heroes journeyed westward. South Dearborn has always been an enjoyable venue, and this day was no exception. The hosts are always warm and the atmosphere is laid back with a focus on the things that matter in music education and personal growth for students. Be that as it may, however, all the choirs showed up ready to compete and close out the regional season with a win. Suffice it to say that the day was intense.
          The Show Cards, however, were up to the challenge, sweeping the preliminary awards and ultimately taking home the big trophy. After a sterling daytime performance the group was presented with awards for Best Band, Best Vocals, Best Tech Crew, and Class AAA Grand Champions. Brendon Wolf was named Best Overall Performer, with Lyndsay Detzel, Akeem Campbell, and Tomisin Okunade receiving honorable mention in the category. Despite these first place finishes, however, the scoring was tight. There were some powerful choirs from Indiana and Ohio present, and the top three groups were separated by a mere seven points as they proceeded to finals.
          Drawing the last performance slot for the evening, the Show Cards were all business in the warm-up room, receiving an inspiring message from their road manager of nine years, Dave Marzheuser. In a surprise move, the leadership torch was then passed from graduating veterans to up-and-coming leaders, and the group fairly exploded out of the room and onto the stage. The emotion was tangible and the resultant show was, in a word, dazzling. From the opening notes the audience was with the group, shouting, whistling, applauding, and pouring out love and encouragement for the next twenty minutes. The final standing ovation was lengthy, and in the concluding ceremony of the night the group was proclaimed Grand Champions. The celebration was on.
          Cardinal Company performed well in their afternoon slot, finishing as Grand Champions of the Unisex Division. Brittany Bertram was named the group’s Best Overall Performer, with Nicole Heithaus and Kaitlyn Conley receiving honorable mention. In a surprise twist, the hard-working Cardinal Company Band finished second only to the renowned Show Card Band, giving CHS a clean sweep in the musical categories.
          Cardinal Company’s journey ends here for 2007-08, and the ladies begin preparation for the 2008-09 auditions. The Show Cards will enjoy spring break, and then venture to New York for a national competition, featuring the best of the best from around the country. See you there.

March 8, Lebanon, OH — Although our heroes prepared diligently for the competition, a heavy winter storm overtook the Tri-State area and most of the Mid-west, forcing the host school to cancel the event due to hazardous travel conditions. Maybe next year. Meanwhile, it’s on to South Dearborn.

March 1, Grove City, OH — Rarely have our heroes performed as they did on this day. They were absolutely fabulous, finishing the preliminaries in first place and sweeping the award ceremony—Best Vocals Class A, Best Vocals Overall, Best Band Class A, Best Band Overall, Best Choreography Class A, Grand Champion Class A. It was a good day to be a Show Card. Akeem Campbell was recognized as Best Performer, with Elysse Vadnais and Brandon Abernathy earning honorable mention. Other directors, choir members, and guests were congratulating the group on their stellar effort.
          Can anyone explain what happened next? By all accounts, the finals performance was even better than the daytime show. The night wore on, but the biggest shock was yet to come. When the results were announced, the baffled emcee even paused for a moment and looked questioningly at the judges, saying, “I want to make sure this is right.” Receiving an affirmative nod, she continued, “In third place—Colerain.”
          SAY WHAT? Just a few hours earlier, the judges had proclaimed the Show Cards the best group there. The group had outscored everyone and was hauling home a large pile of hardware. Third place? Are you kidding me? There was little anyone could do, however, so the choir’s representatives graciously accepted the obvious slight and the group packed and headed for the buses. Before they reached the dressing rooms three of the four remaining directors rushed to tell the Show Card directors that they were angry over the obvious failure of the judges. Even the winning director said that he felt foolish accepting the championship trophy. It was clear to all that Colerain had outperformed everyone there.
          It’s a life lesson, albeit a difficult one. Being the best is different from being acknowledged as the best. Sometimes people will look right at you and still not see all that you are. We swallow hard and move forward. Life goes on, and so will the Show Cards. See you in Lebanon.

February 16, Loveland, OH—It started when our heroes began trickling into the Vocal Music Room well before their call time. You couldn’t see it, but it could be felt. It was palpable, alive. As more of them gathered, the spirit intensified. The theme from the film Rocky played in the background. The various conversations were filled with a typical youthful exuberance, but also contained a measure of purpose. There was a sense of destiny, a feeling that whatever may have happened in the past, today they were unstoppable. It was their time, and they had shown up to claim it. There was no need for inspiring speeches today . . . these guys were jazzed.
At 3:00 PM Cardinal Company took the stage in their first competition performance. They handled it beautifully, finishing as 1^st runner-up in the Unisex Division and receiving the coveted People’s Choice Award, along with a variety of compliments from the judges. Kaylie Knapp was named Outstanding Soloist for the women’s competition, as well as Best Overall Performer for the group. It was an incredible start and a harbinger of things to come for these exciting ladies.

          Meanwhile in the Show Card dressing room the tension continued to build. The afternoon and early evening hours were spent reviewing changes and adjustments to the show. The quiet confidence that had begun earlier had only grown stronger as the day wore on. They were two-time Grand Champions of this competition, but today they were facing a stiff challenge from two out-of-state choirs and an in-state rival. No matter. Determination was written on every face; this was their turf. The challenge had been accepted, and no quarter would be given.
          At precisely 8:40 PM the Show Cards took the stage. The group biography was read, the curtains opened, and amid screams and cheers the band laid down a gorgeous introduction. Classy and elegant, the opener simply soared. The vocal sound was powerful and well complemented by the choreography, costumes, and instrumentation. The song ended with a heart-stopping crescendo, and before the audience could catch its breath, the second number exploded with the force of a hurricane. Shouting, whistling, clapping, stomping, the capacity crowd was with them every step of the way. The joint was rockin’.
          Song after song unfolded, and performance levels reached an all-time high. Not even a momentary power outage could stem the tide. This was a championship team in its finest moment, and everyone lucky enough to hold a ticket knew it. When at last it was time for the final bows the audience roared its approval. Exchanging smiles and waves with the crowd, the Show Cards exited the stage knowing that they had conquered. The Show Card Band put the final exclamation point on the music and it was over. The challenge had been met with stunning force.
          To no one’s surprise, the Show Cards continued their reign over the yearly competition, emerging with awards for the Best Vocal Sound, Grand Champions of the Championship Division, and Grand Champions Overall. Eric Marzheuser received the Best Overall Performer award for the night. The celebration was on. It was unstoppable.

February 10, Cincinnati, OH—It was time for the annual Show Card Dessert Theater fundraiser. Held at the beautiful Monfort Heights Elementary School, the past several events had been drawing 600 community and Cincinnati area ticket holders. This year was no exception, with over 600 in attendance. Featuring desserts of all kinds from the finest Cincinnati restaurants, as well as valuable silent auction items, the day’s agenda included solo performances from a number of Show Cards and concluded with a performance of the group’s 2008 competition show. Lots of spiritwear items were sold, and thus scores of “Little Show Cards” could be spotted throughout the eating and performance areas. Family members, school district officials, CHS faculty, and even luminaries from the Cincinnati business and professional worlds attended and enjoyed the afternoon immensely. In the middle of an intense competition season the day was an oasis of community support, incredible music, and warm feelings. A new record for fundraising was also established, and it would be safe to call the day a smashing success. The Show Cards humbly thank their parent organization, known as VOCE (Voices Of Choral Education), for all their planning and execution.

February 2, Piqua, OH—Somewhat healthier after many doctor visits and several rounds of antibiotics, our heroes made their way to Piqua and performed brilliantly in the afternoon preliminaries. The show absolutely sizzled and was hot enough to make them a shoo-in as finalists against some very tough competition. During the evening performance, however, the group suffered a “wardrobe malfunction” that cost them a few points with the judges. Moreover a band member, balancing precariously during his featured part, lost his footing and fell heavily, suffering a minor concussion as a result. To add insult to injury, some percussion equipment was stolen from the travel cases during the award ceremony. It was a difficult night, but the group finished fourth overall and returned home wiser for the experience. Andrew Tepe captured the Best Performer award, with Lyndsay Detzel and Molly Sellins earning Honorable Mention in the category.

Findlay, OH, January 26--While in Cleveland the previous weekend, our heroes came down en masse with a variety of symptoms. Too long on an enclosed bus, in shared motels rooms, and simply being together for three days led to strep throats, ear infections, high fevers, and other associated bad vibes. The situation became desperate at midweek, leaving the directors to wonder if they had enough healthy bodies to put on stage in Findlay. Ever the troupers, the group trudged weakly onward, but to no one's surprise the preliminary performance was lackluster. The failure to make finals came as something of a relief, given the fact that no one had the stamina to perform a second time. Just the same, the group held a long, soul-searching meeting in the evening and came away with a new vision for the future. High spots included Ben Hays named as the competition's outstanding male soloist, with Brandon Abernathy again securing the Outstanding Performer Award. Lyndsay Detzel and Lauren Barth earned honorable mention in the latter category.

January 19, Garfield Heights, OH—After arriving late the night before, our heroes take the stage at 1:00 PM for their first competition performance of the season. There are quite a few rookies this year, and when the curtains part there is a genuine “deer caught in the headlights” moment. The group recovers and delivers a fine performance despite a few technical glitches. They leave the stage to great applause, but the atmosphere is subdued. Everyone knows that they are capable of a better performance. The afternoon is spent watching the other choirs, and the rookies learn from observation just what is expected at this level of competition. There is a growing restlessness among the group; they want a second chance. At 6:00 they file into the auditorium for the daytime awards where they learn that their earlier effort was enough to place them in the evening finals. Jubilation! A shot at redemption is offered.
Not the least bit tired, our heroes take the stage once more at 11:30 PM and deliver a sizzling performance that has the audience on its feet throughout. No nervousness this time; they own the place, and the other finalists are impressed. The Show Cards finish sixth out of twenty choirs present. For the first time in many years the fabulous Show Card Tech Crew takes home top honors in the caption awards. Brandon Abernathy is awarded Best Overall Performer, with Marisel Lopez and Paige Dobkins receiving honorable mention in that category. With the first one behind them, it’s onward to Findlay.

January 12, Colerain High School, Cincinnati, OH—Unbelievable. It’s Premier Night, and thirty minutes before show time the auditorium is packed. The CHS Boosters open the balcony; it fills in five minutes. People begin standing around the walls and in the aisles. More faces are packed into the hallways, upstairs and down, pressing closer to get a glimpse of the students who will represent CHS in show choir competitions throughout the Mid-west this year. Despite the lack of seating, the crowd is jovial and seems excited to be part of such an event. Someone estimates the crowd to be near 1,000; nobody could have predicted such a turnout. Professional videographers and photographers move about the room testing light levels. T-shirt vendors are doing a crisp business in the lobby. The sense of anticipation is palpable and electric. Who knew this would happen?
          Promptly at 6:00 PM the White Oak Middle School Concert Choir and Colerain Middle School Cardinal Heat warm up the receptive audience with contagiously energetic shows. They’re exciting to watch and obviously thrilled to be here. The crowd responds warmly, and then Cardinal Company takes the stage. Bam! The band’s intro is crisp and to-the-point and these ladies immediately begin working the willing crowd into a frenzy. It’s twenty minutes of colorful costumes, a vibrant choral sound, and exciting dance moves. Each note, each step is right on time, and they’re performing like they’ve never done in rehearsal. It’s a harbinger of things to come for this group. Wow.
          The curtains close, a few announcements are made, then comes the deafening roar as the curtains re-open on the Show Cards. The next half-hour is dazzling beyond expectation, almost beyond belief. Innovative, musical, colorful, but above all, entertaining, the group moves seamlessly through a jazz and Broadway repertoire, carrying the audience along for the ride. The show is well paced, alternating heart-stopping, all-out crescendos with dramatic and controlled phrasing. Sound, lighting, and technical applications are flawless. The music is propelled forward by a tightly-knit, horn-driven band, and the singers, elegantly styled and dressed, have the audience on their feet for much of the performance. All too soon they take their bows, smile and wave to the shouting, stamping crowd, and exit the stage to a thunderous sound of appreciation. Ever had to shout to the person standing next to you? Yeah, it was like that.
          It’s over, but it’s not over. No one wants to leave. The singers, still in costume, come down to meet their fans and thank them for attending. A few even sign autographs for the youngsters in the crowd. Lots of former Show Cards are present. The stage lights go off and the tech crew begins the equipment load-out. Still the room is full of smiling, happy faces. Everyone is reliving their favorite moment from the evening. The community response is overwhelming.
          It’s a night of memories. It’s a night of beginnings. The 2008 season is underway, and it’s unbelievable.

Aurora, IN - Show Cards Capture 2nd at South Dearborn...
The judges were split in their decision. Two had the Show Cards in first place, two had Danville, IL in first. Ultimately Danville scored a few more points, so they took the Grand Champion trophy. We're proud of our Show Cards, however, half of whom were competing for the first time. The Show Card Band continued their winning ways by bringing home the "Best Instrumental Group" award and scoring a perfect 30 out of 30 possible points. Katie Farmer and Kayla Marsh were singled out by the judges for outstanding performances. Ashley Myers was selected as Cardinal Company's outstanding performer for the day.

Findlay, OH - Fighting the flu, various respiratory infections, and some personal distractions, the Show Cards rallied in the preliminary performance and were called back for the evening finals. Realizing that their best effort was yet to come, the upperclassmen led the members in a time of soul-searching afterward. It worked. The group took the stage at 9:45 PM and was absolutely dazzling. Two of the judges rose at the conclusion of the performance to give the choir an emotional standing ovation along with the rest of the visibly moved crowd. The Show Cards took second runner-up honors and scored well in the various categories. Freshman Brandon Abernathy was recognized as the day’s outstanding performer and Osby Berry captured the “Best Male Soloist” award.

POCA, WV - It was a trip that seemed doomed from the beginning. The buses slogged through ice and snow, the region was beset by a contaminated water advisory, the motel rooms were not in order, and the host school was victimized by theft and vandalism. Still, the Show Cards soldiered on, working through cramped conditions, unheated rehearsal facilities, and performing for a curious, but unimpressed audience. It seemed to make sense, then, that for only the second time in five years the group was not called back for the finals. It was a sobering reality check, and the Show Cards move on, sadder but wiser, to Loveland, OH on February 10^th.

Loveland, OH - Show Cards Sweep Loveland! On February 10^th the Show Cards dazzled the capacity crowd, many of whom had been waiting all day for their performance, at the 2007 Loveland High School Show Fest. Battling illness and bouncing back emotionally from a difficult previous outing, the Show Cards performed brilliantly and later swept the awards ceremony. The caption awards presented to the group included “Best Male Soloist” (Osby Berry), “Best Band,” “Best Vocal Sound,” and “Best Choreography.” Finally, but perhaps of greatest magnitude, came the long-awaited Grand Champion trophy. Osby Berry was also named the group’s outstanding performer for the day.

Grove City, OH - Show Cards Dazzle in Finals! On March 3^rd the Show Cards performed at Grove City High School, competing against some excellent choirs from all over the Mid-west. Taking on all comers, the group emerged as Class “A” Grand Champions, winning awards for the best choreography and best vocal performance along the way. The fabulous Show Card Band played well, but finished second by only half a point. Fighting through some unsolicited distractions, the group was simply dazzling in the finals that night, earning a standing ovation from the capacity crowd and even the judges themselves! The Show Cards finished third overall, and saw Osby Berry once again named the best male soloist and Ashley Harper named best overall performer.

St. Clairsville, OH - On March 17^th the Show Cards once again journeyed to the West Virginia border and once again suffered a water main break. What is it with that region and their water works? This time the motel’s entire third floor flooded, and the Show Cards were unceremoniously dumped into less-than-desirable accommodations. It was seemingly an omen. Despite delivering one of their best performances of the season the Show Cards were shut out of the awards ceremony, along with a couple of other outstanding Ohio choirs. It was a curious situation, and the judges’ decision was questioned and debated repeatedly by those present in the audience. Buoyed by the emotional support offered from other schools, the Show Cards returned home and began preparations for their final competition of the year. Osby Berry once again took “Best Male Soloist” honors.

Hampton, VA - On March 22^nd our heroes left for the balmy skies of the Virginia Beach area. This time things went like clockwork . . . or did they? The Show Cards had an enjoyable time together at the beach on Friday, but turned their attention to the business at hand on Saturday, the 24^th. They were well received and treated like royalty at the venue. When their time on stage came, they performed like there was no tomorrow. The crowd was with them from the opening notes, swaying, clapping, and rewarding the group with a long standing ovation at the conclusion of their show stopping performance. In the ensuing award ceremony the Show Cards received a rating of Superior, First Place in the “Class A Mixed Show Choir Division,” “Best Vocal Sound Overall,” and finally “Grand Champion” of the two day, twenty-four choir event. Ben Hays took the “Best Male Soloist” award, while Kayla Marsh and Brendon Wolf were recognized as the day’s outstanding performers. It was a stunning triumph for the group, and they happily celebrated afterward.

It wouldn’t be a Show Card trip without a little mishap, and the return trip was marred by a bus breakdown in the West Virginia mountains. Two hours were needed for repairs and the group resumed their journey home, arriving shortly after midnight. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, they kept their commitment to the community they serve and gave two flawless performances the next day, the first at 8:30 AM. A Show Card life is the best life!

Beavercreek, OH - First Runner up, First Runner up Division A, Best Combo, Best Female Soloist - Francesca Buonsante, Best Performer (CHS) - Chris Schneider

Piqua, OH - Fifth Runner up overall, Best Costumes, Best Performer (CHS) - Maryann Witt

Poca, WV - Grand Champs Class A, 3rd Runner up overall, Best Solo Instrumentalist - Kevin Waite

Fairfield, OH - Best Combo, Best Performer (CHS) - Maryann Witt. Maryann Witt also placed 3rd in the Soloist competition

Wapakoneta, OH - 4th Runner-Up Overall, Best Performer (CHS) - Jasmine Menifee, Francesca Buonsante won Overall Best Female Soloist

Beavercreek, OH—First Runner Up, 1st Runner Up Class A, Best Choreography, Best Show Concept, Best Costumes

Grove City, OH—Second Runner Up, Class A Grand Champion, Best Vocals Class A, Best Choreography Class A, Best Combo Class A, Best Male Soloist—Chris Schneider

St. Clairsville, OH—First Runner Up, Class A Grand Champion, Best Vocals Class A, Best Choreography Class A, Best Female Soloist Class A—Hannah Meloy, Best Show Concept Class A

World Cup Competition, Branson, MO—Semi-finalists, Overall Outstanding Male Performer—James Foster

Piqua, OH—Grand Champion, Best Costumes, Outstanding Female Soloist—Lauren Dangel, First Runner Up Class A

Loveland, OH—Grand Champion, People’s Choice Award, Best Instrumental Group, Best Tech Crew

Fairfield, OH—Second Runner Up, Outstanding Female Soloist—Hilary Bond, First Runner Up Class A

Southwestern, OH—Third Runner Up, Outstanding Male Soloist—Chris Schneider

Southwestern, IN—Grand Champion, Best Vocals, Grand Champion Female Soloist—Erin Imel