What does talent have to do with leadership? MSC Aggie Leaders of Tomorrow (ALOT) answers this question with their program, FLO's Got Talent. FLO's Got Talent is an all FLO (Freshman Leadership Organization) Talent Show showcasing talents from all FLOs and gives each contestant an opportunity to serve the Bryan/College Station community. Flo Member Outreach is a subcommittee of MSC ALOT with four sophomore staff members and twenty freshmen. These students plan the entirety of the program from working with Rudder Theatre Complex staff to holding dance practices for the contestants.
In the Fall, the first thing Flo Member Outreach does is reach out to the many FLOs, calling for contestants. The talents range from singing to playing the flute to solving a rubik's cube. With such a wide variety of talents, FLO's Got Talent is a great opportunity for each contestant to strut their stuff. After the competitors are selected, they go through many dance practices and service events in order to prepare for the big night.
This year the contestants, as well as the freshmen of Flo Member Outreach, participated in two different service events. The first event was a park clean up. Flo Member Outreach executive, Shelby Chesson, Flo Member Outreach Exec said, “Park clean up is important because it helps encourage college students to keep their town clean.The community has given so much to us and we love the opportunity to give back.” The second service event was First Friday in Bryan. The contestants and freshmen helped vendors set up booths as well as interact with the members of the local community.
The day of FLO's Got Talent can be hectic, but exciting. The freshmen in FLO's Got Talent get hands-on experience with programming and planning the show. They even get to be the emcees. Emcee Dawson Carpenter says that he and his fellow emcee, “Ran lines backstage as often as possible because we wanted it to be as perfect as we could make it.” Contestants spent 13 weeks practicing their acts as well as the beginning dance. Chesson said that it was the best rewarding experience getting to see your hard work come to fruition. At the end of the night the winners were announced with great excitement. The theme of FLO's Got Talent this year was Fight Night. This meant that the winner, Ms. Flash, was adorned with a wrestling belt.
FLO's Got Talent was an amazing opportunity for all of the FLOs to get to know each other and share service opportunities. The winners of the night included, third place: Mr. Forme (Caleb Hong), second place: Mr. AFC (Davis Mosel), and the overall winner, Ms. Flash (Makenna Carr). FLO's Got Talent had an amazing turnout and cannot wait to see what the talent has in store for next year.