By: Jodie Darrell, Staff Reporter
The inaugural University Celebrity talent competition will hold auditions for student to compete for scholarships said chief executive officer of the competition and New Mexico Highlands University student body President Christopher Burns.
The auditions will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 25 at the African American Performing Arts Center at 6:30 p.m. There will be four categories: comedy dance, song and poetry. The top three entertainers will be awarded scholarships ranging from $125 to $225, said Burns.
“University Celebrity understands the importance of a college education, which is the main reason we provide scholarships to the top three contestants at each talent competition we host,” said Burns.
The competition gives students the opportunity to give their talent exposure and a chance to become famous, said Burns.
“There is a lot of college talent who grew up with huge dreams of becoming a celebrity or famous,” said Burns.
Burns said the scholarships won at the auditions can be used at any college.
There are more opportunities than just the scholarships for the winners.
He said winners will also have the chance to be a part of concerts hosted by University Celebrity in the spring, and that they will have the chance for exposure to entertainment agencies and venues throughout the state.
The winners will also be promoted through Youtube, Twitter, and Facebook, said Burns. “University Celebrity specializes in keeping dreams alive. We take pride in providing opportunities for talented college students educationally and through creative arts,” said Burns.
The idea behind the competition came from his campaign for student body president at NMHU, where he hosted a rap competition, said Burns.
“In order to win, I knew I had to do something unordinary for my campaign. I decided to host a rap battle featuring the best rappers on campus,” said Burns, “the turnout was great and the rappers had a blast. Only one rapper was given the title as the best rapper on campus at New Mexico Highlands University.”
Burns said he then took steps to create University Celebrity as a company during the fall of 2011.
“I knew in my heart that there were many students across the nation who would love to be given a celebrity status on their campus for the talents they have,” said Burns.
Students interested in auditioning for University Celebrity can call 603-9225 or email universitycelebrity@gmail.com.
