A showcase of UTM’s finest talent was alive and well at the SGA Freshman Council Talent Show last Wednesday. The talent performances ranged from singing to magic tricks, and even included some advanced karate skills.

The talent show had nine participants, which included Casey McCasland, The Triumvirate, Katie Moody, Stuart Shaw, Jude Miller, Chambliss Roberts, Brad Hurt, and Justin Chandler. The show also had a piano performance by SGA Vice President and FC Advisor, Rachel Jayne Hammond.

Prizes were awarded to individual talent and also to group talent participants. First place in the individual talent category went to Justin Chandler. Chandler performed an array of magic tricks including a disappearing act with a duck.

“I’ve been doing magic since I was five year old and I have a life-long love for it,” says Chandler. “I enjoy performing at every opportunity I get and I think it’s great that the Freshman Council puts on a showcase of talent on campus.”

Chambliss Roberts captured second place in the individual awards by singing, and Stuart Shaw took home third place in the individual category by playing “Mood for a Day” on the guitar.

The first place winners in the group category were the members of the musical group The Triumvirate, who performed “The Space Between Us.” Members include: Derek Ezell, Chris Johnson, and Eric Wilson.

“We just started the band for the talent show and we are trying to move on to bigger things,” says Wilson.

Winners in both categories received trophies and cash prizes. Money raised by the talent show will go towards the Red Cross and Hurricane Katrina victims.