NEWS

If seeing is believing, then student magician Tim Pardue and his assistant, Carly Queen, made believers out of the audience and judges Wednesday night at the Union Board’s talent show at Louisiana Tech.

Pardue, a sophomore music education major from Ruston, and Queen, a sophomore management major from Luling, took home first place at the annual event, which is held in conjunction with Homecoming activities.

“I love to get the chance to do magic for my friends and fans on campus,” Pardue said after being awarded a $750 check for first place. “I’ve been (performing magic tricks) since I was seven years old.”

Pardue actually tied for first in last year’s talent show, but last year was a solo act. This year Pardue said he wanted to do something different, and Queen was more than happy to oblige.

“It seemed like a lot of fun,” Queen said. “It’s really cool to be on the other side and be part of the act.”

Rebecca Price, a sophomore kinesiology major from Bossier City, went home with second place and a $500 check after singing “I Hope You Dance,” and Ben Backus, a senior business administration major from Ruston, received third place and $250 for singing and playing “Down.”

Howard Auditorium, where the event was held, was packed for the talent show, which was themed, I love the 80s. Stephen Lynch, UB president and senior sustainable supply chain management major from Ruston, said the theme was chosen to coordinate with Tech’s Homecoming theme, There’s No School Like Old School.

“Every day has been designated a different decade,” Lynch said. “Monday was the 60s, Tuesday was the 70s and tonight was the 80s. We took it and ran with it.”

Lynch said about 40 acts auditioned for the talent show, but only 10 made the cut. Other students competing in the talent show included:

• Markeith Woolidge, a freshman mechanical engineering major from Longview, Texas;

• Earnest Miles III – a junior biology major from Grambling;

• Billy Walker – a sophomore sociology major from DeSoto, Texas;

• Porter Phelps – visiting, non-degree, from Ruston;

• Michelle Bellott – a freshman education major from Eules, Texas;

• Ka’Britney Forch – a senior journalism major from Shreveport;

• Jordan James, a junior social studies education major from Verda, and Kegan Dick, a sophomore mechanical engineering major from Atlanta.

Written by Judith Roberts