Top That: MA Students show off their talents and compete for prizes

Attendees of the first-ever “Top That” Master of Arts in Management Talent Show on November 6 didn’t know what to expect when they arrived at The Barn on the Wake Forest campus. They were quickly delighted and impressed by the talent on display.

“Students in the MA program have liberal arts and science backgrounds and represent a wide variety of cultures. We thought ‘why not showcase the diverse talents, skills and experiences of our classmates’,” said show organizer Ellen Hart (MA ’12).

While not an official competitor, emcee Ryan Emerson (MA ’12) won over the audience with his stand-up comedy interspersed between performances.

Megan Scales (MA ’12) kicked off the evening by singing “Gravity” by Sara Bareilles.

Denmore McDermott (MA ’12) followed up with “Made Up My Mind” by Lyfe Jennings. Junior Communication major Charles Ramsey accompanied with the guitar. McDermott’s performance entertained with adlib lyrics making references to his Wake Forest experiences such as “you’re time will come, you’ll be changing lives like Dean Reinemund.”

Erik Spangenberg (MA ’12) continued the evening by performing an original piano and vocal piece he wrote called “The Night.” Upon giving revealing his score, professor and talent show judge Derrick Boone proclaimed, “We all need to start an MA band and go on tour.”

Shimeng He (MA ’12) captivated the audience as she sang “Reflection” from Disney’s Mulan. Following the performance, professor and talent show judge Ya-Wen Yang noted, “This is my 14th year in the United States and I don’t have the courage to sing in front of an audience in my second language. I commend you for your bravery.”

The room heated up when Anthony Tuttle (MA ’12) and his girlfriend Kenny Rodriguez, a biology student at NC State, performed a steamy freestyle salsa dance.

Cathy Sun (MA ’12), dazzled the crowd with an elegant piano solo from a Chinese Opera.

Heather Elbeck (MA ’12) closed out the competition playing the piano and singing “At Last” by Etta James.

Ellbeck ended up taking home the first place prize of an iPad2. Eric Spangenberg earned second place and $250 Visa Gift Card and Cathy Sun came in third, receiving a $100 Visa Gift Card.

“It’s amazing to see students in a whole different light away from class,” said professor and talent show judge Melenie Lankau.

Following all of the performances, including bonus acts by hip-hop dance troupe “Momentum” and a ukulele solo of “Don’t Worry Be Happy” by Gabriela Scarritt, the judges ended up garnering the loudest applause of the night upon announcing that students would not have quizzes in class the next day.

Upon announcing the prize winners, Boone said “this is probably the hardest grade I have given this year.”