Student Scholarship Talent Search Category Winners
Male Vocal/Overall: Chad Galloway
Female Vocal: Sammy Pancol
Musical Ensemble: Kaleb Newell and Cierra Payton
Original Composition: Josh Kerwin
Acoustic: Chase Thiebaut
Freestyle: Tyler Hostetler
Senior Chad Galloway won the 31st annual Student Scholarship Talent Search Sept. 29, and the crowd roared and applauded as his name was announced.
Almost 1,000 students attended the annual homecoming week event to watch 15 performers from six different categories display their talents on the John R. Emens Auditorium stage.
Galloway rose above the pack with his rendition of “Hallelujah” in the male vocal category. Last year, he won in the ensemble category after singing a duet with Jordan Phelps.
Galloway felt overwhelmed as he was handed this year’s trophy and $1,000 scholarship.
“I was speechless,” Galloway said. “I love this [performing] environment.”
Students and faculty members echoed this sentiment.
“This event is always special to us, because it highlights the many talents of the Ball State students,” said Dina Byrnes, events manager at Emens Auditorium.
See photos from the Talent Search.
Senior Sammie Hardin has been to Talent Search all four years of college. It’s a stress reliever for her to come and watch the performances.
“I think it’s interesting to see all the people come out and everybody has a different talent,” Hardin said. “Even their singing is like completely different and interesting.”
Winners were also picked for each category and the recipients won a $500 scholarship.
The faculty and staff royalty coronation took place before the winners of the Talent Search were revealed. Allison Wynbissinger, a victim advocate at the Office of Victim Services was crowned queen and Richard Neel, an assistant professor of history was crowned king—his last chance. He said he is retiring at the end of this year.
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