On Sunday, April 3, the Nu Delta  chapter of Delta Sigma Theta (DST) presented a “Celebration of Gospel.” The competition is held once a year and included six competitors this year. Auditions for the competition were available for all students. The top three were presented with a trophy while the winner also got the opportunity to sing at the Mr. DST Scholarship Pageant. The competition was a part of Delta week.

Songs were selected by the students and each contestant was required to sing two, one with the theme of worship and the other praise. Students were judged on showmanship, creativity, sound quality, clarity and stage presence.

Senior and treasurer of Southeastern’s Pan-Hellenic Council, Dynnishea Jones, hosted the event.

The competition included seniors Brittani Doakes, Jarvis Harry and Cardolyn Barrow, junior Kye Scott and sophomores Reanna Claiborne and Jeremy Lloyd. The previous year’s winner, Jarell Norman, also made a special appearance and sang while judges scored the performances.

Competitors sang songs such as “This Too Shall Pass” by Yolanda Adams, “I Look to You” by Whitney Houston and “God’s Got a Blessing” by Norman Hutchins. Audience members were encouraged to join in the singing, and did so several times, providing harmony and backup music for the featured talents.

Junior Christopher McKinley attended the event and was impressed by the performances.

“The competition was well put-together. It was very hard for me to decide who should win, so I think the judges did a great job,” said McKinley.

The judges consisted of Angela James, a counselor at Southeastern, Scherry Ferrill, who is employed at Records and Registration and Evelyn Jones, a Tangipahoa Parish School System counselor.

Lloyd, a vocal performance major, walked away with the trophy in the end after singing “Holy, Holy,” by Donnie McClurkin and “Be a Fence,” by Fred Hammond.

“[Delta Week] is just a week of events to empower our campus and community,” said Jones.

According to Jones, the week is based off of economic development, education development, international awareness and involvement, political awareness and involvement and physical and mental health.

“We try to find things to do that cater to the student body,” said Jones.

Senior and vice president of DST Breanna Bienemy agreed and also commented on the performances of the night.

“They were very into their songs and emotional,” she said.

In fact, two of the performers became teary-eyed while in the middle of their songs, and several students involved the audience in their performances. Claiborne catered to the audience, claiming as soon as she was onstage that she was not there for the competition, but there to praise God.

Delta Week consists of several events this week, including “Stealing Your Future” on Tuesday, an economic presentation and a series of events on Wednesday that end in an after party.