NEWS

Bayou Star Search, an inaugural statewide talent competition with a first-place prize of $10,000, will hold its main event in Howard Auditorium on Louisiana Tech University’s campus on August 16. Singers, dancers, musicians, and other performers from across Louisiana will compete live on stage starting at 7 p.m.

A bevy of sponsors, including Louisiana Tech and the City of Ruston, have partnered with nonprofit event producers Louisiana Delta Ballet to put a spotlight on the competition and its competitors. Aspiring acts were part of a thorough application process, and the wide range of talent were narrowed down to 20 finalists.

Among those 20 finalists are multiple acts with ties to Louisiana Tech:

Anna-Katherine Thompson, showcasing vocal talents, is a Ruston native and currently a graduate student at the University.

Chanley Patterson, also from Ruston, is a former Miss Tech who graduated in May 2025 and will be showcasing her skills as a pianist.

Emery Ring, a 7^th grade student, is a dancer and the daughter of Associate Professor of Management Dr. Kirk Ring.

Additionally, the event’s host “The Professor” Nick Harrison is a graduate of Louisiana Tech’s speech/theatre master’s program and an internet sensation with millions of followers.

Louisiana Tech President Jim Henderson and Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker have been part of the promotional efforts leading up to the event, each one emphasizing the privilege of hosting Bayou Star Search on campus.

“This is more than an event; it’s an opportunity, a night to celebrate the voices, the stories, and the passions that make Louisiana shine,” Henderson said. “We are delighted to welcome these talented Louisianans to Louisiana Tech and the idyllic college town of Ruston.”

More information about the competition is available at bayoustarsearch.com, and contestant photos and bios are available on the Bayou Star Search Facebook page. General admission tickets to the August 16 event are available here.