Second annual apollo at SU a success

The Beta Sigma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated and the Sophomore Class held it’s 2^nd annual “Apollo at SU” show on Tuesday, November 19^th.
The event is a part of Achievement Week 2013, which is hosted by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated. The Apollo gives students from Southern University a chance to come and showcase their talents in front of an audience.
Just like the original Apollo show, if the contestant received too many boo’s, they will be pulled off the stage by one of the members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated.
The popular DJ Hypeman provided the music and intermissions for the event, and the hosts for the event were Alaric Jones and Camren Linson.
Alaric Jones is a 21-year-old senior chemistry major from Alexandria, Louisiana, and Camren Linson is a 19-year-old sophomore biology major from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Ja’el Gordon, coordinator for student organizations and campus involvements, was one of the judges for the event. Gordon judged for this event last year as well, and says that last year’s event had a huge turnout.
“A lot of students came last year. All of the chairs were filled and the floor was covered with students,” said Gordon.
“I’m hoping it will pull from different crowds since it’s hosted by two different organizations,” said Gordon before the event began.
There were nine contestants set to showcase their talent, and five special performances, totaling to fourteen performances total.
The first contestant, Qincy Tracie, is an 18-year-old freshman from Amite, Louisiana. Tracie is a mass communications major with a concentration in broadcasting.
Willie McCorkle III, a 22-year-old graduating senior from New Orleans, Louisiana, was the second contestant. McCorkle is also a mass communications major, but with a concentration in public relations instead.
The third contestant was 18-year-old freshman Kayla Davis from Alexandria, Louisiana.
The fourth contestants were a duo: Nino Lewis and Juan Carter. Lewis is a 19-year-old sophomore mass communications major with a concentration in broadcasting. Lewis is from Metairie, Louisiana. Carter is a 21-year-old freshman business major from New Orleans, Louisiana.
Macy Holden was the fifth contestant. Holden is a 19 year old sophomore Family and Consumer Science major from New Orleans, Louisiana.
Corinne Vaughn, the sixth contestant, is an 18-year-old freshman political science major from Campti, Louisiana.
Autumn Petit, even though she isn’t a Southern University student, was the seventh contestant to showcase their talent. Petit is 22 years old.
The eighth contestant was a Southern University student, Kay Love. Last, but not least, Regal DeQuair was the ninth contestant. After performances by Lil Peezy and the Woop Woop Boys, the judges announced that Regal DeQuair was the winner.
DeQuair is 19-year-old sophomore biology major from New Orleans, Louisiana. This is the second year that the Showtime at SU event was held, and it exceeded its expectations from last year’s event.
Next in the Achievement Week 2013 lineup is the blood drive and yard show by the Omega’s, followed by the Miss Omega Pageant in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom in the Smith Brown Memorial Union.
Sophomores Lauren Jones and Tevin Thomas answered a few questions after the event. 19 year old biology major, Jones from Olathe, Kansas said, “The Apollo event was OK. I think that it should be annual because I think it’s important to showcase the talents that are on campus. It was a good experience and I wouldn’t mind attending the event against next year.” Thomas, 21-year-old sophomore biology major from Houma, LA said, “I enjoyed the Apollo event because my close friend Regal performed and in turn won. This year definitely wasn’t as packed as last year, but it was still a fun experience.”