Singing, tango dancing and jumping rope were among the acts seen at Friday night’s talent show held by the National Society of Black Engineers.
More than 200 people attended the event, and 20 percent of raffle ticket sales, or about $380, benefited Three Peaks, Three Weeks, an organization that will send three women climbing to the three highest peaks in Africa in less than three weeks.
The climbs will raise money for three crucial issues affecting Africa today: the environment, education and HIV/AIDS, said Toni Harris, a systems engineering senior and member of NSBE.
Cassandra Sillik, an undeclared freshman who performed with a dance group called Blackout, said she heard about the event through friends and thought it would be fun to participate.
“”We all love to dance, we are all very passionate dancers,”” she said about Blackout, which has been together for about a year.
Laura Filoso, a UA alumna who calls herself a “”rope-skipper,”” said she decided to perform at the event after seeing a flier around the high school where she teaches.
Filoso said she has been jumping rope since third grade and decided to participate in the talent show because her act sets her apart from the others.
William York, a psychology junior, said he found out about the talent show from a friend who received an e-mail about it.
“”It was fun,”” York said. “”I liked the jump-roping (act) because it was different compared to all of the dancing acts.””
Darlene Villicana, a philosophy sophomore, said the salsa act of the evening was her favorite, but she appreciated the mix of other acts.
“”I think it was very diverse,”” Villicana said.
Amuche Okeke, an electrical engineering senior and president of the NSBE, said the talent show started out as an idea to commemorate Black History Month, but the group couldn’t receive a room until March.
Okeke said the group hopes to organize more talent shows, perhaps even some with themes to promote cultural awareness.
“”I’m pleased with the turnout,”” Okeke said.
Scott Revey, a pre-communication sophomore who won the talent show and a $200 prize by singing “”In the Still of the Night,”” said it was exciting to win against such fierce competition.
“”It’s exhilarating,”” Revey said, adding that the UA needs more activities like the talent show to let students show off their eclectic skills.
Revey said he would probably save the money he won from the talent show for an upcoming semester in Spain.
“”I feel really good that some of the money is going to a good cause,”” Revey said. “”People are broke here, but in Third World countries, they are really broke.””
