The Student Center Ballroom was decked in black and blue for an American Idol-esque competition, Bradley Idol, hosted by the Association of Residence Halls and featured performers from campus residence halls Thursday.
Eight performances resulted in a first place finish for Sam Dean with her rendition of Christina Perri’s “Jar of Hearts” and a second place finish for Rachel Bisch, who made a cup song to Alicia Keys’ “Girl on Fire”.
“The talent in Bradley Idol was insane,” Dean, a freshman secondary education major, said. “I’ve never seen so many talented people, and I was like, ‘If I win, great, but if I don’t, they deserve it.'”
Dean said she did minimal preparation for the event because she didn’t know she was performing until about 3 a.m. the day of the competition.
“They emailed me on Monday, but I thought it was an email sent to the entire student body,” Dean said. “I got another email at about 3 a.m. [that said] everybody be there at 5 p.m., and I was like, ‘Uh, what?’” Dean said.
All of the residence halls hosted singing competitions as precursors in order to choose whom to send to Bradley Idol. Dean placed third in the University Hall Idol.
“I was really nervous for U-Hall Idol and [Bradley Idol],” Dean said. “I get really nervous every time I perform.”
Dean received an iPad mini for winning first place.
“I’m so happy, and I cannot stop smiling,” Dean said. “I’m ecstatic right now.”
The performances were analyzed based on attention to guidelines, entertainment, creativity and expression, clarity and overall performance by judges University President Joanne Glasser, Vice President for Student Affairs Nathan Thomas, Director of Student Activities Tom Coy and Director of the Lewis J. Burger Center for Student Leadership and Public Service Jessica Chandler.
