(December 6, 2022) - On November 18th, 2022, Laurentian University hosted the annual LU’s Got Talent, a community event that showcases the incredible talents of Laurentian students. This year, third-year Restoration Biology student and highland dancer, Olivia Kyle, was named the top performer. Second place went to fifth-year Behavioural Neuroscience student, Heidi Dunbar, who impressed the audience with her vocal talents. Third place was awarded to Bryan Ribey, fifth-year Psychology student for his vocal and pianist talents.
LU’s Got Talent is planned and executed by student leaders within the Residence Life team, and has a long history of being a highly anticipated annual event on campus near the end of the fall semester. Since its inaugural event in 2002, all proceeds have been donated to Easter Seals Ontario, a charitable organization that provides programs and services to youth with physical disabilities across the province to help them achieve greater independence, accessibility and integration. This year’s event raised $957.00 to support Easter Seals Ontario’s Send a Kid to Camp program. A summer camp experience allows a child to discover new physical capabilities while making friends, trying new activities, and navigating a world designed for their special needs.
To date, LU’s Got Talent has donated $54,715 to Easter Seals Ontario.
Olivia Kyle, this year’s LU’s Got Talent champion, is grateful to have been able to take part in this event: “My experience at LU’s Got Talent was amazing. For my performance, I did highland dancing, a style of dance I have been competing in professionally since a very young age. It was a great feeling to know that I was able to share something I love with my peers while also helping raise money for Easter Seals Ontario.”
Carmen Bazinet, Easter Seals Ontario Regional Administrator, gratefully accepted this year’s event profits on the University’s Fraser auditorium stage before competition winners were announced. “After a two year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, LU’s Got Talent returned with exceptional talent. It was an honor to be there again this year to witness the amazing acts. On behalf of Easter Seals Ontario, I would like to thank the organizing committee for all their hard work putting this event together. I also thank Laurentian students for supporting our Send A Kid to Camp program. I look forward to next year to see what great talent will come from the students,” said Bazinet.
This year’s LU’s Got Talent judges consisted of three Laurentian community members and Bazinet:
- Olivia Broomer, Vice President of Student Life, Students’ General Association;
- El Hadji Diop, Vice President of Sociocultural Affairs and Services, Association des étudiantes et étudiants francophones;
- Cassidy Houston, Laurentian alumna and folk musician;
- Carmen Bazinet, Regional Administrator, Easter Seals Ontario.
Congratulations to all talented student participants as well as all who contributed to this incredible Residence Life event.