Students at KU will have the opportunity to perform in the first annual KU Idol on Monday, April 27 in the McFarland Student Union room 183. The event is scheduled from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., with 11 people already registered for the event.

Alumni of the KU communications program are hosting the event. The Black Flame Dance Team will be performing along with participating contestants.

According to Sarah Griffiths, KU student and a co-organizer of the event, the idea started in the classroom.

“Our class had to debate and throw ideas out on the table to decide which event would most appeal to KU students.”

“We are actually hosting this event for a new class that was offered starting this semester, COM 370 Event and Meeting Planning,” said Griffiths. “With the guidance of our professor, Dr. Mary Eicholtz, our goal was to think of an event idea and host it as a class. We have four groups that are vital to the planning of this event: public relations, operations, logistics and evaluations.”

KU Idol’s mission is to provide students with a night of entertainment, snacks and prizes. All proceeds of this event will go toward the Opportunity House in Reading, an organization that focuses on improving the quality of life for children and their families who are facing hard times.

“The gift cards for the winners, food and decorations were donated to our communication class by Saucony Commons,” said KU communications major Alexis Celotto.

The selected judges for the competition are Dr. Clair Van Ens and Dr. Deryl Johnson, both from the KU communications department, and Kirk Griffiths.

By Antaneyah Johnson

There will be refreshments available outside of the event for students who pay to get in, as well as raffle baskets. Participation in the competition costs $5, while the entry fee is only $3.

For more information about the event, visit the KU Idol website on Facebook at KU Idol, its Twitter page @KU__Idol or contact Sarah C. Griffiths at sgrif393@live.kutztown.edu