Idol title raises cash in the Cage

Battle of the Valleys

by Anne Hasenberg
Vanguard

September 14, 2009 —

Students rocked out and anted in, turning out their pockets to support Battle of the Valley’s Cardinal Idol on Thursday night in the Cardinal Cage.

More than 20 students showcased their talent and raised $300 for the Boys & Girls Club in the competition against Grand Valley.

Performers sang karaoke to tunes both known and new. Ty Thompson started it off, singing an original song he wrote after giving advice about love to a friend. Kyle Stokes performed his song, “Humanity.”

Spencer Bing remixed rock band Blink-182’s “All the Small Things” and sang his self-penned “Decaf Coffee.”

The renditions at Cardinal Idol, with their guitar and vocal solos, surpassed expectations for many students in the audience.

“It’s cool to come down here and see people perform,” said Tristan Groves, a mechanical engineering sophomore. “The kids you see around school—you have no idea how talented they are. I was impressed by their performances.”

Other hits at the show included renditions of Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’,” the Goo Goo Doll’s “Name“ and Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar on Me.”

Tyler Beyett, a biochemistry freshman, said he was surprised with one student’s talent. “I really enjoyed Steve Gold because he sounded like his songs came right off a CD.”

As the night went on, more students gathered around the stage, singing along with songs they knew.

“The atmosphere was great,” said Colton Slank, computer information systems sophomore. “It was amazing to hear what people personally wrote and hear them express themselves through music. I look forward to coming back next year.”

By 11 p.m., Bing was named the winner, having earned the most donations from the crowd. Some students stayed after the event to talk to performers and friends.

“This beats the hell out of high school,” Beyett added. “I’ll go to this again next year.”

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