Month: September 2017

Kasey and Karaoke

| Buckeye Voices at Ohio State Newark

Guest Blogger

Kasey “Aaliyah” Jackson, Sophomore, Forensic Science Chemistry, COTC & Ohio State Newark

My singing history is very long, so I’m just going to touch on my recent success. About a year ago I auditioned for Ohio State Newark’s Got Talent where I placed second. After that performance, fellow students Elizabeth Beatty, Melissa Tobin and Hunter Spittler and Assistant Director for Student Life Justin Khol told me about Karaoke Night, so I started to going. I don’t think I’ve missed a karaoke night since.

This past spring the karaoke night event holders Tim and Vickie Craft asked me if I wanted to compete in karaoke. I told them I usually go home for the summer and that I wouldn’t be back until school started again. They said they would take my information and contact me when it was starting up. I came back and I went to the qualifying round, where I qualified and was the female winner for the first round. We were supposed to have a semi-final round but that round was eliminated and I immediately became a finalist. Finals were held at Woody’s Pub and Grill in Buckeye Lake, Ohio. We went two rounds; my first song was ‘Georgia On My Mind’ and my second was ‘And I am Telling You’ by Jennifer Hudson. The second was a little difficult because the arrangement was slightly different than what I had been practicing so I got stuck in the beginning of the song and the judges penalized me for it. I ended up getting second place still qualifying for Vegas; but only the first place winner had their fares paid. A very generous anonymous giver believed in me so much they offered to pay for me and my boyfriend’s way to Las Vegas so I could compete.

In Las Vegas, I will be representing the State of Ohio and in competition to win a prize of $1000 and a chance to represent the USA in Helsinki, Finland.

Las Vegas Karaoke Competition Schedule

ROUND 1 is Thursday September 28, and Friday September 29th.

I will compete Thursday between 10 am and noon.

I will compete Friday between 7:30 pm and 10:30pm.

ROUND 2 is Saturday September 30th if I make it.

I’m so honored to even be considered in this event and on this type of platform. I’m hoping to win, but if I don’t I am very happy to have had this opportunity to represent my state and schools.

After this competition is over I’m looking forward to finishing my education strong and seeking more venues to perform at. I want to thank those who have pushed and believed in me. Thank you to Justin Khol and Vorley Taylor for always making a way for me to perform. Thank You to my voice coach Perry Meyer. You are the reason I am going to Vegas, without you this would be impossible. Thank you to Vickie and Tim Craft for having so much faith in me from the beginning. Thank you to my entire family and all my friends. I appreciate EVERYONE!!!

My performances can be found on my facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/aaliyah.jackson

Meet Taryne

| Buckeye Voices at Ohio State Newark

Taryne Porter, Junior, Middle Childhood Education

Hello! My name is Taryne Porter and I’m a Middle Childhood Education major at The Ohio State University at Newark. I was born in Ohio, my family settled in Pataskala. I was raised in Licking County and graduated from Licking Heights High School. Wanting to see the world, my college journey began when I accepted an academic scholarship to West Virginia University. After becoming homesick (you don’t know what you have until it’s gone) country roads led me home to Columbus where I continued my education at the Columbus campus. Realizing the class sizes were enormous, and that I was being exposed to more people in a 5-mile radius than I had ever encountered in Licking Country, I decided on one final move. I found my home on the Newark campus. I was thrilled to discover that while it was also closer to home, it offered me the opportunity to complete my major. The education program here is extensive, fulfilling and has enhanced my passion for teaching. The time here has provided me with exposure to amazing faculty members, fellow students, alumni and community members that all share the same love for our humble campus. Wonderful things happen here! During my time at Ohio State Newark, I have had the honor of being crowned homecoming queen, spent multiple years volunteering for Big Brothers Big Sisters as a lunch buddy and community match, and I have had multiple field and volunteer opportunities through the education program that has allowed me to impact the youth in our community.

Off campus I share my love for cheerleading by coaching at an all-star facility in Gahanna. I also spent years giving back to my high school and their affiliated youth league as a coach and program director. Working six days a week outside of school definitely has its challenges, but in my book challenges are welcome. When I miraculously have a day (or even an hour) off, you will find me in a nook of campus with my nose in a book or at home gardening and hanging out with my animals.

I currently only have three semesters remaining before my time is up. I am cherishing every moment on this campus with my friends and fellow Buckeyes. My goals in life are to provide my students and athletes with empowerment, confidence and the ability to become successful in the real world. I am thankful for my time at Ohio State Newark and for being a Buckeye. Being one has allowed me to thrive in my own fields and I look forward to representing the Scarlet and Grey for life! Go Bucks!