Student wins guitar after competing in USU Idol
USU Idol, the new Star Search hosted by Kappa Delta, was held in the Taggart Student Center Ballroom Wednesday to raise money for the Child and Family Support Center.
“We have the opportunity to give back,” said Megan Smith, programmer for USU Idol. “I want to help it out any way that I can, and I think this is a really fun way to do it.”
Ten students performed 45-second songs, five of which were chosen to sing an entire song for the audience to vote for their choice.
The final five, Britt Shepherd, Jordan Ah Loy, Jessica Harris, Kevin Mitchell and Jamie Lee had one more chance to let the audience decide.
Shepherd sang “The Rose” by Bette Midler. Harris sang a slow, jazzy, love song, “Someone to Watch Over Me,” by George Gershwin, and, with her guitarist, Lee performed “When You Say Nothing At All” by Ronan Keating.
Mitchell did a more modern song, “I’ll Look After You,” by The Fray, and Ah Loy sang a slow acoustic guitar song, “Lemonade,” by Passion
“‘Lemonade’ can be sour, but you’ve definitely added a bit of sweetness to this song,” Judge Angela McDermott said after Ah Loy’s performance.
McDermott, a graduate student in psychology, was chosen to judge because of her background in music.
While the paper votes were tallied, a movie about the Child and Family Support Center was shown. After a few more raffle prizes, the audience chose Ah Loy to be the first USU Idol.
“I honestly didn’t think I would actually make it,” he said. “I had no idea I
would make it to the final round.”
He won a new guitar from KSM Music and said he was very excited about it.
“I’m still surprised; I’m going to be surprised for a long time,” Ah Loy said.
Kappa Delta teamed up with the Associated Students of USU and changed the week of the event to get more students involved and combine with the university’s Traditions Week.
The old USU Idol event was called Star Search, and only students in the Greek system would attend, said Lauren Shipley, the vice president over public relations.
Admission was $2 per person, and 80 percent of the proceeds go to the Child and Family Support Center in Logan. The other 20 percent go to the Prevent Child Abuse America.
About 300 students attended, so around $600 was raised.
The center will use the money to fund their programs and classes, Program Coordinator Jennifer Bair said.
The center offers a Crisis Respite Nursery, where parents who are having a stressful time can bring in their children.
The nursery can also be used if a parent is going to the hospital or to court and a babysitter fell through, Bair said.
Parenting classes are also offered for $25 per couple. For children ages 5 to 15, they also have a cooperation class to help them deal with bullies, self-esteem and cooperation.
“Our mission is strengthening families and protecting children,” Bair said.
The Child and Family Support Center is located at 380 W. 1400 North. For more information about the center and its services, go to its Web site at www.familysupportcenter.org.
-ranaebang@cc.usu.edu