Velvet Case
Reporter
The talent show to help raise awareness of HIV/AIDS was a success thanks to teamwork and combined efforts.
The talent show took place on Nov. 12, at Rent Auditorium. It was on the second day of HIV/AIDS Awareness Week. The purpose of this event was to educate students about this topic while having fun at the same time.
The Student Government Association worked together with the Resident Hall Association, the Young Black Leadership Association, and the National Society of Leadership and Success to make this event special.
The event was called “Showtime at the W,” a reference to the music television show “Showtime at the Apollo.” As such, students participating were encouraged to perform anything from the 1970s to early 2000s era to mimic that television show.
Eight performers participated in the show. A variety of talents were displayed including song solos, a cappella singing, martial arts and Nepali group dancing.
The three judges were staff members of the Student Life and the Housing and Residence Life office.
To integrate awareness about HIV/AIDS during the talent show, about 30 students performed a skit about HIV/AIDS during intermission. The students who participated were from the Student Government Association, Residence Hall Association, National Society for Leadership and Success, and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
“The skit during intermission gave a different vibe or feel to the evening. Overall, it was a good night,” said Quintara Wright, a culinary arts major.
There was an “Individual Talent” winner, a “Group Talent” winner and a “Crowd Favorite” winner.
Sweta Adhikari won the “Individual Talent” title. She sang "Someone Like You" by Adele. "The Nepali Group" which was composed of Seema Neupane, Anusha Shakya, Dipa Bhatarai, Sweta Adhikari, and Shristi Khati did a traditional Nepali dance and won the “Group Talent” title. Keandra White was the “Crowd Favorite” title winner who sang "I Ain’t Got You" by Alicia Keys.
“My favorite part of the talent show was the end when the two finalists battled it out. The two girls sang a cappella to see who would win,” said Katelyn Davis, a pre-physical therapy major.
There were 163 students who attended. Because of its popularity and overall success, the SGA is looking to make the talent show an annual event.