Regent University Students Shine Bright at Annual Talent Show

Photo credit: Abby Trivett

On Saturday, February 23, Regent University’s Student Activities Board (SAB) hosted their annual “Regent’s Got Talent” show on campus in the Main Theater.

The show featured ten acts. The panel judges, which included a student and alumni, awarded Nic Smith ’18 (CAS) and Sarah Golden ’20 (CAS) first place for an outstanding duo performance featuring violin and guitar.

Golden explained that she and Smith had worked together in the past and believed that prior experience helped make their performance work well. She said she was feeling “really good” about their act and that it was “unexpected [and] a lot of fun.”

Opera singer Jalyn Dio ’22 (CAS) took second place with a rendition of “Nessum Dorma.” Dancer Austin Smith ’20 (CAS) took third place with a story-driven dance.

Spoken word artist Lateef Manigault’s ’20 (CAS) gave an emotional solo performance, and Judah Duncan ’21 (CAS) and CAS alumna Mia Ritter’s reenactment of The Phantom of the Opera’s titular song evoked a thunderous applause.

The upbeat swing dancing duo of Jackson Baugus ’21 (CAS) and CAS alumna Jessie Wollum had the audience on their toes with their quick foot work and multiple lifts.

Elisa Cortez ’21 (CAS), head of entertainment for SAB, expressed excitement over the variety as well as the large turnout for the event. “I really hope that everyone has a lot of fun,” she said. “I hope everyone in the audience enjoys it as much as I have.”

Audience member Ginger South ’20 (CAS) remarked how the show was “…diverse across topics and genres and very unified because they’re all performing from a deep part of the soul,” and added, “I’m getting chills after every performance.”

Regent’s Got Talent was a welcomed event that warmed the hearts of the student body, thanks to those who worked hard both on and off the stage to provide a show filled with quality entertainment.

Written by Abby Trivett – Student Writer