Panthers Got Talent promises a Homecoming to remember

Alyssa Elso/Staff Writer

Calling all performers: Panthers Got Talent is back for Homecoming week 2013 with more entertainment, giveaways and Panther pride.

Emulating shows like “America’s Got Talent,” the University’s Panthers Got Talent is a competition for students, faculty and staff to showcase their various talents. The event will be held on Thursday, Oct. 10, at the U.S. Century Bank Arena – doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Panthers Got Talent, previously named Lip Sync/Talent Show, is now going into its second year as a Homecoming event, but with a few minor changes.

“In the past, the competition was called Lip Sync and was only for groups of six to 20 performers who had to lip-synch and perform a choreographed dance,” said Homecoming Director Giselle Cancio.

According to Cancio, Panthers Got Talent now has multiple divisions where  performers can showcase different  talents, such as singing, dancing, stand-up comedy or acting.

The competition will be divided into three different divisions: solo, blue and gold.

The solo division is for one performer, the blue division can have two to six performers and the gold division can have seven to 20 performers, said Cancio.

According to Homecoming Council Assistant Director of Communications, Carolina Bellido, many of the groups that will perform this year are made up of  sorority and fraternity members.

“Faculty and staff also perform, which can often be pretty funny,” said Bellido.

The number of students, alumni, faculty and staff in attendance is expected to be higher this year, with up to 2,500 students in attendance.

Students in the audience who are out to show their Panther pride, can also expect to receive lots of giveaway items from the Homecoming Council.

“This year we will have more T-shirts, sunglasses and other FIU items to give away,” said Bellido.

Jennifer Cordero, senior psychology and sociology major, is a current Homecoming Queen nominee. She enjoys watching the many performances in the talent competition and the school spirit the event brings out in fellow students.

“This year I am attending to support my sorority sisters, but I have attended in the past and it is just a really fun experience – and seeing students and alumni show their Panther pride is just awesome,” said Cordero.

Jorge Mogna, senior communications art major, enjoys the talent competition from a more musical perspective.

“Panthers Got Talent is a good event because it gives students who are passionate about music a chance to showcase their talents,” said Mogna. “Students who participate in this competition can also meet fellow musicians and build friendships because now they have two things in common: they both attend FIU and they both play music.”

According to Cancio, this year’s competition will have more performers than in the previous years since solo performers have been included in a separate division from the group performers. More than 20 performers are expected to compete within all divisions.

The performers will be judged by five faculty members and advisors on the following categories: creativity, incorporation of University spirit, choreography, costumes and overall performance.

“Panthers Got Talent is just an overall great Homecoming event to bring the student body together, to support fellow students and to enhance FIU’s school spirit and Panther pride,” said Bellido.

 -news@fiusm.com