Eleven acts of Niagara’s most talented students competed for a $500 first place prize.
By: Chloe Steinig
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – On March 22, Niagara’s Got Talent (formerly Open Mic Night) was held in upper level Gallagher Center. Hosted by seniors Dominic Hannon and Kyle Schwindler, 11 scoring acts performed in front of a panel of faculty judges. Over $1000 in prize money was given away to the top three finalists. The event was sponsored by the Barnes and Noble Campus Store, Niagara University Traditions Committee, Niagara University Student Government Association, and Campus Programming Board.
Acts were judged on four categories: originality, visual presentation, technical merit and talent, and overall entertainment value. Each category was scored on a range of one to ten.
The first performer was Sagarika Mohapatra, who did a traditional Indian dance. Dancing was seen again by the NU Dance Crew, who choreographed their own number to Justin Bieber’s “Cold Water.” Both Hailey Bicknell and Monica Panzer treated the crowd to irish dancing, with Bicknell performing a traditional dance and Panzer dancing a more contemporary number to Chance the Rapper’s “All We Got.” Alberto Sosa followed Panzer’s non traditional steps with a popping and locking routine.
Other acts sang for the judges. Joe Marra covered Neil Young’s “Needle and the Damage Done.” Hannah Macios covered Journey’s “Open Arms.” Nick Dawson covered Elton John’s “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me.” Alex Daddone and Jade King covered Rise Against’s “Swing Life Away.” Gabby Iacona and Dustin Furness covered “Wherever Love Goes” by Randy Houser. Verdell Singletary, Shawn Robinson, and Keon Peterkin performed a medley of songs to the beat of Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You”. Michael Soluri, a non scoring act, covered and emotional Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.”
Furness and Iacona’s duet placed third, Panzer placed second, and Sosa placed first. All other acts received $10 for participating.
