Tonight, performers will face off at Gator Growl’s Talent Night in a new category: singing the national anthem.
The talent show, which falls under the Homecoming theme “United We Growl,” is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom. Attendees must pay $1 to enter, said director of Talent Night and advertising junior Lauren Herstik, 21.
Groups and individuals will compete in the music, dance and national anthem categories. Participants include the Sedoctaves, DANZA and Girl Scout Troop 1029, according to the program.
“Song choice is everything,” said 21-year-old materials science and engineering junior Alex Greene, the musical director of No Southern Accent. “You want something that’s high energy.”
The winners of each Talent Night category will perform at the pep rally Nov. 9. The national anthem champion will open the show, Herstik said.
Performers were selected through an audition process that began in September. Tonight, winners will be chosen by a panel of judges including Gators quarterback Jeff Driskel, she said.
This year, 50 percent of the proceeds will benefit the Wounded Warriors Project, a charity that helps the families of injured soldiers. About $500 has been raised through audition fees, Herstik said.
The tap group Stomp the Swamp placed third in the dance category last year, said president and 21-year-old environmental engineering senior Lauren Kleiman.
But it’s not all about winning.
“Honestly, we’re just really, really excited to share what we can do with everyone,” she said.
