U S F ’s
G o t Ta l e n t
USF’s Got Talent almost didn’t happen this year. That is until one University of Sioux Falls student took it upon himself to make sure the show would go on. The student to thank? Riley Robinson. Robinson is a junior from Crooks, S.D. majoring in Pre-Professional Exercise Science with a minor in Business Administration. This fall he served as one of the University’s orientation coordinators. Because of this, he was involved with planning events for homecoming week. In that sense, Robinson was already working behind the scenes, but he would soon find himself playing a much larger role in this year’s talent show.
photo courtesy of josh werre
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Cooper Dixon, a Business Administration major at the University, was one of these eight members. The acapella group also featured the vocal talent of Kelsey Beznoka, Kelsey Brenna, Elijah Hamilton, Isaiah Henderson, Ben Morrison, “Originally,” Robinson explains, “I wasn’t going Sofia Shibly, and Megan Sundvold. “All of us are a part of the Concert Choral,” Dixon explains. to help with USF’s Got Talent at all… out of curiosity, I ended up checking in with Allan [the “One day I got a message from Megan Sundvold Associate Director of Student Life] to see how asking if I wanted to join the group.” many acts signed up. However, he informed me Dixon says it was the first time he had ever that the talent show probably wasn’t going to competed in a talent show. As it so happened, it happen due to a low amount of interest.” would also be his first time winning a talent show. “It was very exciting to win! I don’t think any of us To some, this may not have been a big deal. expected it and it made for a great experience,” But to Robinson, it was. “Four acts were he says. Dixon hopes to compete again next already practicing and looking forward to year even though some of the group members performing, and I knew that there was more are graduating this coming spring. He also that USF could offer. So, I took it upon myself encourages other students to compete. “If you’re to reach out to some friends. To make a long unsure of joining the talent show or any future story short, I was able to gather quite a few competition I would say just go for it,” Dixon more acts to make the show happen.” says. “It’s most important to have a fun time.” Because of Robinson’s quick recruiting, a total of nine acts performed the night of the talent show. They ranged from a traditional Mexican dance to a flag routine, and even a Hallmark Christmas trivia game. Instead of having judges decide on a winner, audience members were able to vote for which act they thought was best. Third place was awarded to Greta Smith W e r re and her performance of her original song, h “Chicago”. Zoe Cigard and Diego Jaimes took second place with their Flips & Tricks routine. And in first place– the 2021 winners of USF’s Got Talent– was an eight-person acapella group with their performance of “Cracked” by Pentatonix. photo courtesy of
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