Talent took main stage at the open mic Wednesday and raised $55 for the Tsunami Relief Fund. Guitarists, poets, comedians and more each got their 10-minute share of the limelight in the Career Center.

Some performers took the stage nervously but pulled through with grace when their time was up. Other performers, like Joe McKee, took the stage with confidence and loved every second of it. McKee described one song he wrote and performed, "Love you all the way," as a “Muppet style” tune. Using a voice technique he just discovered a year before, he seems comfortable with his unique act in front of the small crowd. "I felt comfortable in terms of the number of people," McKee says.

Asked why he performed, McKee said, "I wanted to do something for our department [cosmetology]." Though the number of Cosmetology students was minimal, their charity wasn't. The department donated $45 at the event.
Student Events Coordinator Amy Carroll organized the rare event. "Like the poetry slam, we provide an opportunity to students to show more of their talents instead of limiting them to one."

Before leaving, each student was asked to give what they can to the Tsunami Relief Fund and to fill out an evaluation card and rate the event; this will determine if this kind of event will be re-occurring. "As long as we know the students enjoy it, we're happy to bring this activity and opportunity to them."