The crowd goes wild at Open Mic Night

Roshani Ghimire, Reporter|November 8, 2021

  • Jack Benedict sings the song “Yellow” by Coldplay. Gaul placed second in Open Mic Night on Oct. 26, 2021 in the A/B room in Memorial Union.

    Hannah Gaul

  • Mia Weiler and Peyton White sing “Take a Hint” by the Victorious Cast. They both asked for guys to come and sit on stage as they sang. This photo took place at Open Mic Night on Oct. 26, 2021.

    Hannah Gaul

  • Bailey Corley sang at Open Mic Night. Despite her mic and the sound not working she still managed to sing loud enough for everyone to sing along with her. This picture was taken on Oct. 26, 2021.

    Hannah Gaul

  • Michelle Sawyer sings with conviction at Open Mic Night on Oct. 26, 2021. in the A/B room in Memorial Union. She placed first in the event.

    Hannah Gaul

  • Toynce Jackson gives her best performance at this years Open Mic Night on Oct. 26, 2021 in the A/B room in Memorial Union.

    Hannah Gaul

  • Sierra Jeter sings her heart out to the crowd at Open Mic Night on Oct. 26, 2021.

    Hannah Gaul

  • Haley Carlin (left) and Marin Schwarz(right) sing in front of the judges at Open Mic Night on Oct. 26, 2021.

    Hannah Gaul

  • Reese Owens sang “When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars. He was disqualified from winning the prizes for the winners, but regardless he sang with passion. everyone cheered him on at Open Mic Night on Oct. 26, 2021.

    Hannah Gaul

  • First-Year Experience Librarian Stephen Woody was the host for Open Mic Night on Oct. 26, 2021. He stands in front of judges Christa Smith (left), Joseph Tinsley (right), and Robert Coffelt (center).

    Hannah Gaul

  • Students are greeted and sat down to listen to the singers’ perform at Open Mic Night on Oct. 26, 2021.

    Hannah Gaul

  • Students get some refreshments while they wait for the judges to decide the winners of Open Mic Night on Oct. 26, 2021 in the A/B room in Memorial Union.

    Hannah Gaul

  • Christa Smith, Joseph Tinsley and Robert Coffelt listen to Stephen Woody announce the winners for Open Mic Night on Oct. 26, 2021. Open Mic Night was held in the A/B room in Memorial Union.

    Hannah Gaul

  • Jack Benedict is happy to win second place for Open Mic Night on Oct. 26, 2021. Students in the background clapped in celebration of his placement.

    Hannah Gaul
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Washburn Student Government Association organized the Open Mic Night event as a part of homecoming week 2021 at Washburn A/B, Memorial Union on Tuesday that allowed students to showcase their talents.
The Open Mic event was hosted by First-Year Experience Librarian, Stephen Woody. The panel of judges were Joseph Tinsley, director of admissions; Robert Coffelt, lead graphic artist for U.M.A.P.S. and Christa Smith, interim director of strategic analysis and reporting. Results were announced for the first, second, and third-place winners.
The event was never short of excitement with eight amazing performances and applause from more than 100 students supporting their peers. The performers of the open mic night were Mia and Payton, Bailey Corley, Jack Benedict, Michelle Sawyer, Toynce Jackson, Sierra Jeter, Haley and Marin, and Reese Owens.
Michelle Sawyer from Black Student Union won first place, and was the recipient of a $50 Texas Roadhouse gift card. The audience gave her a standing ovation for her powerful voice. Playing guitar, Jake Benedict from Kappa Sigma won the crowd as he performed “Yellow” by Coldplay. He was rewarded a $25 gift card for second place. Mia Weiler and Peyton White from Alpha Phi took home a $15 Starbucks gift card for their performance of “Take a Hint”.
Michelle Sawyer, a sophomore majoring in Pre-Dental and the winner of the Open Mic event said that she hasn’t sung in front of an audience like this since high school, and thought she was going to forget her lyrics as she shared her experience.
“This kind of event is a nice way to connect with other people. I have never seen any of these people in my life and talked to them. Now I have a new face in the hallway that I can say hi to,” Sawyer said.
“The show was wonderful, and the best thing was, of course, they are amazing performers that all came out and shared their talents,” said Megan Arianna Dorantes, a junior majoring in Public Administration. “I enjoyed the surprise acts. It is always nice to see something unexpected and have it be amazing.”
Edited by:- Simran Shrestha
Edited by Ellie Walker