Click here to see an audio slideshow from this event.
Two BYU students will have some much-needed money for textbooks after winning BYUSA's "Sing for Your Books" competition Friday.
Taylor Eliason, of Las Vegas won first place in the event, which was held last Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in the Wilkinson Student Center Terrace. Eliason received $350 toward his textbook purchases. Danica Donaldson, a junior majoring in music dance theatre from Eagar, Ariz., took second place and received $150.
"It blows my mind," Eliason said after winning. "It's definitely been a blessing because there's not a lot to pull from, and the money seriously is a definite help in this time. I'm just really, really grateful."
He said Donaldson, who was not present for the award presentation, was "brilliant."
"We've gotten to be pretty good friends through this experience, as short as it was," he said.
Donaldson found out she had won second place Friday afternoon and said she is excited to be able to buy piano and voice books.
"It's such a blessing because I needed about $150," Donaldson said.
The "American Idol"-style competition was part of BYUSA's Welcome Back Week. Out of the 40 students who participated in Tuesday's preliminary round, 20 made the cut for Thursday's semifinal, with 12 advancing to Friday's final round.
A panel of judges critiqued the performers on voice control, stage presence and audience appeal, giving feedback to the singers at the end of their performance. In the end, they gave the nod--and the money--to Eliason and Donaldson. Student Body President Adam Ruri also announced two unofficial third-place winners, Brittany Williams and Jaqueline Duplessis, who received gift certificates to Jamba Juice.
Chance Basinger, executive vice president of BYUSA, said BYU's administration and student leaders are aware that students are affected by the economic downturn.
"We're happy to help out in whatever way we can," he said.
Joel Deehr, BYUSA's event lead for Welcome Back Week, said the competition was also designed to help students take a break from their studies and "chillax" through music during the first week of school.
"We thought at BYU, that would be a good idea because people like to sing," he said, adding that he enjoyed helping students with their textbook costs. "I think it turned out well," he said.
Annalece Boothe, a Student Honor Association administrative assistant from Spanish Fork, Utah, who helped judge the competition, said she enjoyed seeing people who do not usually sing stand up on the stage and face their fears. "We had a lot of different kinds of people come and support each other," she said.
Singers performed in front of an audience of students eating lunch, doing homework and watching the competition.
"I'm not a big fan of 'American Idol,'" said Nate Smith, an undeclared junior from Latin America. "But I think it's good they're giving them money for their books." He said that competitions like "Sing for Your Books" add character to the WSC.
Two BYU alumni, Justin and Anna Redd, of Portland, Ore., were in town for their daughter's wedding reception and stopped by the WSC to pass the time. The Redds said they liked the competition.
"It's a great idea," Anna Redd said. "The singers have all been really good."
Justin Redd agreed. "They never did that when we were here," he said.
BYUSA's Welcome Back Week also included free hot chocolate, live entertainment and free movie screenings.
justin.ritter@byu.net
Copyright Brigham Young University 9 Jan 2009
