The Ohio University Recruiting Society, or OURS, held its annual multicultural variety show April 12 at 6:30 p.m. in Baker University Center Ballroom. There were a variety of performances and each act reflected the organization’s energetic and positive characteristics.
According to OU, OURS was established in 1985 after its founders, Stanley Brown and Robert Smith, urged the university to implement a student organization that would increase the recruitment of multicultural students. The organization's mission is to “build a community of multicultural students and encourage professional growth” through different volunteer opportunities, thus leaving an impact on future Bobcats.
The variety show, also known as MVP, is a part of an "OHIO Up Close" weekend, which is an opportunity for admitted students to explore OU and learn about future steps to becoming a Bobcat. Aurora Parker, a junior studying sociology pre-law, is the vice president of OURS. and said MVP is a great way for new students to get to experience OU’s exciting atmosphere.
“We are just the part where they get to get a feel for OU because we have a lot of performances and talent … just so they can get a sense of what the community is like or what the school is like in general,” Parker said.
Parker said preparing for the show was fun, but also difficult, as those planning had to attend rehearsals, go over scripts and finalize the location to ensure the show was enjoyable for attendees.
MVP allowed each participating student to express themselves and showcase their hard work. Leah Dukes, a sophomore studying exercise physiology, is the historian and secretary of OURS and held several roles in the show. As a host and performer, she said show day is always enjoyable and each performer has been practicing hard.
“I’m looking forward to performing with my dance team, we are the last people to perform,” Dukes said. “I think that’s just the most exciting part for me is that last performance of the school year. We worked hard and it’s just a special, exciting day.”
Dukes said the show welcomes all multicultural organizations and individual students who want to showcase their talent and everyone is encouraged to come out next year and participate as no auditions are required.
Not only does the show attract new students, but families also attend to show support and cheer on performers. Renee Richmond, a family member of one of the performers, drove three hours to see the show and said she had been looking forward to showing her support.
“I’m excited to see my grandbaby perform,” Bowling said. “Before she came here she used to perform all the time and do competitive cheer, so she’s dancing now and this is the first time I get to see her perform.”
Along with family members, friends of performers also attend the show. Megan Borges, a sophomore studying history, said she was excited to watch her friend do what she loves.
“We were very happy for Leah when she joined her dance team because it is something she wanted to do,” Borges said. “I’m just excited to see her perform, we’ve seen videos of them but we haven’t seen them in person yet.”
Borges attended with her friend Carly Feazell, a sophomore studying psychology, and both said they were looking forward to seeing the other performances, despite not knowing much about the show beforehand.
The variety show’s performances were nothing short of energetic. Shaina Okyere, a freshman studying finance and business analytics, is a member of the ADJEI dance group and discussed her favorite aspects of performing. Okeyre said she always feels confident when dancing and can let everything go while on stage.
“I’d say just flowing with the music, dancing to the music, I feel that is the most fun part with it, and then doing it with friends as well, it just makes everything so vibrant,” Okyere said.
