Those 11 people were competing for three cash prizes and the opportunity to appear in the SpringFest Talent Show. 

And the winner was... Glen A. Midkiff, Branchland, W.Va., graduate student. 

Midkiff won $100 for doing what he says comes naturally - singing. 

"I perform at church and at weddings," Midkiff said. "I always get nervous though, it's just a part of performing." 

Second prize of $75 went to the singing group The Word and $50 for third place was given to Crystal Richardson for her a capella performance. 

The Student Government Association provided the money for the prizes. 

Midkiff’s win allowed him to go to the SpringFest Talent Show without having to audition. 

"I'm shocked that I won," Midkiff said. "There is just so much talent here, I really didn't think I would even place. I was lucky to have gotten first place." 

The event was open to all students. Each participant had a five-minute time limit and anything "within reason" could be performed. 

Faculty members were chosen to judge the event. They ranked each performance on a 1-10 scale based on talent, originality, content, showmanship and overall impression. 

Open Mic Night was part of Marco's Night Out, an event sponsored by the Student Activities Programming Board. 

Shaun Nichols, public relations director for the student activities programming board, was in charge of putting it all together. 

"The executive board and the public relations staff rotate events to set up," Nichols said. "The ideas come from brainstorming sessions."

Story by Courtney Ross
Photos by Dennis Hicks