Uplift students shine in talent show

High school students from all over North Carolina packed into the Union’s Great Hall Friday night for a student-produced talent show that sought to demonstrate UNC’s commitment to diversity.

The talent show was the finale of Project Uplift’s two-day orientation program for high-achieving minority students.

This is the 37th year of Project Uplift, which aims to increase racial diversity at UNC, said Terri Houston, director of recruitment for the Office of Minority Affairs, which organized the program.

Houston opened the event with a soulful rendition of Mariah Carey’s “Hero.”

Kamikazi, a hip-hop dance group at UNC, received a standing ovation for their energetic mix of break dancing, “popping and locking” and more fluid dance moves.

Kamikazi member and sophomore Marshella Dickey said the group was not used to performing with audience members directly in front of them.

“We were really nervous beforehand, but I actually enjoyed it,” she said. “I got to see the crowd reaction more.”

Members of UNC’s Native American fraternity and sorority — Phi Sigma Nu and Alpha Pi Omega, respectively — performed traditional dances to a soundtrack of chanting and drumming.

At one point they grabbed audience members to participate in a circle dance.

Derek Oxendine, a member of Phi Sigma Nu, also spoke to the audience about the injustices against Native Americans throughout history, including the distribution of smallpox-infected blankets by white settlers and the outlawing of Native American languages.

Sophomores Liz Linzan and Jean Capacetti, members of UNC’s Hispanic dance group ¡Que Rico! performed an explosive salsa dance, in which Capecetti flipped Linzan over his arms several times while Linzan executed complicated moves effortlessly in her 4-inch stiletto heels.

Both performers said they were happy to be involved in Project Uplift.

“It’s been great to help Hispanic high school students see that there’s Hispanic flavor here at UNC,” said Capacetti.

The UNC Gospel Choir brought the crowd to their feet with their emotional, soulful singing. Choir member Krystal Foxx said the performance felt “blessed.”

The step routines, performed by historically black sorority Zeta Phi Beta and fraternity Phi Beta Sigma caused the most excitement in the crowd.

Wearing blue, white and black outfits, the groups combined chanting, stepping and choreographed dance moves with music in a crowd-pleasing set.

Senior Che Ramos said he had fun performing with his fraternity.

“The crowd seemed to get into it,” he said. “It was great to see such a diversity of performances tonight.”

After the show ended, the lights in the Great Hall dimmed, and a dance party began.

Prospective student Kristen Flemings of Charlotte said she learned a lot about admissions, scholarships and college life through the two-day orientation.

As she turned back to dance with her friend, she added, “I found out how fun Chapel Hill is.”

Contact the Features Editor at features@unc.edu.