Star hopefuls perform 21 acts during Star Search
Kappa Delta Sorority put on its fifth annual Star Search Talent Contest in the TSC Ballroom Thursday night.
The show included performances from various Greek fraternity and sorority houses, community members, children and local bands.
“It was a lot of work, and it was so stressful, but it’s good to know that it’s all for a good cause,” said Angie Thomas, co-chairwoman of the program.
Kappa Delta holds its annual Star Search contest as a fund-raiser for preventing child abuse.
“Each contestant pays a $10 entry fee, and each ticket was $3. Last year, we made $30,000-40,000 on this event, and so far we’ve raised $1,000 from alumni contributions alone,” Thomas said.
The co-chairs, Angie Thomas and Lori Tillotson said they think this year’s show will do just as well.
Julie Dethrow and Justin Ego hosted the contest and presented gifts from the sponsors between acts.
Sponsors offered raffle prizes including one free gallon of Aggie Ice Cream, free haircuts from Kakoi Salon, bags full of Aggie gear and a $25 gift certificate to Tony Roma’s Restaurant.
The show began with a band called Silent Filmstar, who dedicated a love song to a girl named Kimmy, who the singer met a week ago.
Next, seven girls from the Theta Nu sorority did a stomp dance and gave shout-outs to other Greek houses.
They were followed by 13-year-old Haleigh Hafslund singing a solo to “Tomorrow” from the Broadway musical “Annie.”
Jason Robey then sang a guitar-accompanied solo, and Shawn McCune gave a stand-up comedy performance trivializing dating, going to the movies and April Fool’s Day.
The Sigma Chi house presented a bagpipe player from Billings, Mont., and 14-year-old, Riley Clark sang a solo to “Baby, You’re the Right Kind of Wrong.”
Other vocal soloists included Cindy Voison, Ed Bailey, Jaime Blomquist, Shane Larson, Valarie Harris, Denise Savello and Andy Dilley.
Harris got half of the audience members on their feet when she belted out “God Bless America.”
Dilley sang, “What a Boy Doesn’t Want” about commercials that he can’t stand to watch on TV The song included the lyrics “Valtrex, Viagra, bloating and cramps … I don’t want to know what goes on in your pants.”
Members of local bands Common Ground, lokalgrown and lambda lambda lambda also made appearances.
Dan Dunn, a member of Pi Kappa Alpha and the band Shudder jumped on stage and shouted, “Star Search Rules!”
Another unique sight was when four boys from Sigma Nu dressed up in corsets and lingerie to perform their rendition of “Lady Marmalade” from “Moulin Rouge.”
About five seconds into their performance, their music was cut and the “girls” were asked to cover up a little better.
They came back on stage with skirts and were allowed to go on with their show.
Awards were given in four categories. Valarie Harris won the 19-and-under division for her two vocal performances.
Christopher Saunders won the 19-and-up category for his dance to Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal.”
Star Search had a special category for the Greek houses who competed. Of these, Delta Sigma Phi won for its “Spring D.I. Fashion Show.”
Honorable mention was given to the Alpha Chi Omega house for its formation dance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”
-karalcampbell@cc.usu.edu
Christopher Saunders impersonates Michael Jackson during the Star Search competition Thursday night. Sauders earned first in the 19-and-up category for his performance. (Photo by Scott Davis)
Steve Morrill of Sigma Nu performs “Lady Marmalade” from “Moulon Rouge” with other members of the fraternity. (Photo by John Zsiray)
Valerie Harris sings “God Bless America” at the competition. She won the 19-and-under category for the second year in a row. (Photo by John Zsiray)