The Office of First-generation Students hosted their second annual talent show Thursday night, and Enrique Salas, sophomore in civil engineering, claimed first place out of the ten acts competing.
He sang and played the guitar for “La Llorona,” a traditional Mexican song.
“The talent show is great way to unite all of the first-generation students around campus,” Salas said. “We showcase the best that we have.”
Salas, who is also the president of the First-Generation Students Organization, said he was proud to represent first-generation students and his heritage through his performance.
“It’s a very classical and traditional song,” Salas said. “I chose to sing it because I wanted to portray the value I have here on campus.”
Other acts included Japanese and hip hop dances, vocal performances, a drag queen, a piano act and poetry reading.
Gabby Farris, junior in nutritional sciences and co-design chief for the Collegian, said a majority of the performers were first-generation students, as were the emcees and organizers.
Farris was one of the First Scholars involved with the behind-the-scenes work. First Scholars is a scholarship program for a small group of first-generation students, while the First-Generation Students Organization is open to all first-generation students on campus.
She also helped with the talent show last year.
“Initially the idea was to kind of put together something where individuals of the first-generation community could come together and showcase their talents to K-State as a whole,” Farris said.
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As guests entered the Union Ballroom, First Scholars collected hygiene supplies for Cats’ Cupboard.
Salas said the First-generation Students Organization will hold their next general meeting on Monday at 7:30 p.m. in Holtz Hall’s first-generation students lounge.
“We’re trying to recruit a lot of people to help come up with more activities, more shows and more events like these to make people aware that we have a population of first-generation students on our campus,” Salas said. “Even though our parents did not go to college, we’re here to make a difference.”
