Local student acts performed on the same stage as a professional comedian on Saturday, March 8. The fourth annual Pioneer Idol was held in the Pioneer Student Center where ten talented acts ranging from guitar, a cappella, solos to duets, hip-hop and bands performed. The PSC also held comedian Roy Wood Jr. as a performer as well as the host of Pioneer Idol.

Photograph by Kate Olsen
Criminal justice and Spanish major Jared Prado performs during the 4th Pioneer Idol contest. Prado took first place with his original hip-hop performance.

Hannah Diebold, a representative of Campus Programming and Relations said that they chose Wood to be the host because it adds another dimension to the event, and gives the show a proper introduction to the acts. It is also helpful because his routine broke up the performances and filled up time when there was an intermission in the show. Wood took the stage first, and the students’ acts followed.

The contestants were judged on their overall talent, creativity, crowd interaction and stage presence. After Wood gave his final routine the winners were announced. In third place, winning a clock radio, was the duet of Shaquita Smith and Nerissa Watson, both criminal justice majors, with their rendition of “Say My Name” by Destiny’s Child. In second place was Ben Berlow, mathematics major, who sang an original song. First place went to Jared Prado, a criminal justice and Spanish major who sang an original song. Prado won a karaoke player.

“I’ve been involved in open mic and heard that Pioneer Idol was a big thing and decided to try out and do something new,” Prado said.

Prado auditioned and made it to the finals, where he showed off his talent for rap and hip-hop music. Prado thought that all of the acts had talent, and liked the student turnout. When Wood announced his name, Prado said that he was excited, and it was what he worked hard for.

He liked how people recognized diversity, and that people do like hip-hop. Hip-hop is here in Platteville, and seeing that people acknowledge it and appreciate it is a good thing.

Prado said that hip-hop has a huge impact on his life, and even if he didn’t win Pioneer Idol he would still be rapping.

“I have a passion for what I do,” Prado said. “There are more open mics to come, because it’s good for me to stay involved, and I’ll see where it takes me.”

Students like Aly Bratz, a biology major, and Eric Conrad, chemistry major, thought the comedian was really funny and enjoyed the event. Bratz thought it was a good experience and a great way to spend Saturday night with her friends.

“J-Proud was my favorite performance,” Bratz said. “Hip-Hop lives!”

Conrad liked that it was fun and something new and that he liked watching people perform.

Pioneer Idol gives students a chance to see something different, like a well-known comedian. It also gives students opportunities to see fellow classmates perform their talents. The next open mic will be at 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, at the PSC Haus. And the last comedian of the year will be held at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 5 in the PSC Crossing.