The first-ever Richardson Court Association talent show was held Thursday night in the Maple-Willow-Larch Commons, showcasing the various talents of RCA residents.

Acts presented during the evening ranged from a red-shoed tap dancer to a lawn chair drill team.

Eight entries competing in two separate categories, music and human tricks, entertained a crowd of nearly 50 people.

On the music side of the contest, second place was shared by Elton Wong, freshman in philosophy, who played a selection from Bach on electric guitar, and Miller House’s rendition of Billy Joel’s “Piano Man” to their creative lyrics.

The winner of the music category was Tom Kapaska, freshman in music, who entertained the crowd with a ballad.

Wong said one of his major incentives for entering the talent show was the possible rewards.

“I knew the guys running the show, and they said I could get free pizza if I won,” Wong said.

In the human tricks division, second-place honors went to Barker House for their lawn chair drill team. Taking the gold was tap-dancer Amy Majors, freshman in animal science.

One of the other crowd-pleasers in the human tricks division was a pair of students who did a human goal post routine with a football.

The pair, Nate Ensicke, freshman in chemical engineering, and Doug Kinsely, freshman in exercise and sport science, are old pros at doing their human trick.

“We’ve been doing it for about two years,” Kinsely said. “It started out as an after school type of thing, but it became a great party trick.”

Ensicke, who was the goal post end of the routine, said the proper equipment is called for while performing the trick.

“I am always the goal post,” Ensicke said. “And after getting hit in the balls once, I’d say that a cup is a necessity.”

The show was sponsored by the RCA student government, and the prizes were donated by various local businesses.

The sponsors said they were happy with the outcome of the event.

“I think there has been a lot of variety and quality in the acts,” said Carrie Seim, RCA educational and cultural chairwoman.

RCA student leaders offered several reasons for having a talent show.

“A lot of residents have creative talents, and we want to give them a stage to perform,” said Matt Craft, Government of the Student Body RCA senator.

“I think events like this really make living in the residence halls worthwhile,” Seim said. “It’s great to see the hidden talent of the person you live next door to. Who knew that girl down at food service can clog?”

The possibility of the show becoming an annual event is not unexpected.

“I think it will only grow bigger and better,” Craft said. “I’d expect to see more participants and more acts. We were a little disappointed in the number of entries this year, but people probably just didn’t know what to expect.”