2008 Woodie Awards
Spotlight competes
Issue date: 3/31/06 Section: Read Letters to the Editor
- Page 1 of 1
Dear Editor,
Spotlight is a tradition that Trinity students are well acquainted with, but what most students might not realize is that the very essence of Spotlight has been drained from it as this year's show approaches. In past years, Spotlight was a talent show to showcase the wide variety of skills and talents that Trinity students possess. People looked forward to seeing everything from large dance groups to song duets to martial arts demonstrations. Parents could even come and see the acts, a good time was had by all, and the campus buzzed for weeks after.
I participated in Spotlight with the Trinity Swing Bums my freshman and sophomore years, and even backstage with the pressure of a "performance" the mood between the groups was fun. However, this year Spotlight is no longer a talent show, and it is no longer free. For reasons that I cannot fathom, Spotlight has been turned into a competition where acts will be pitted against one another for cash, and, in order to fund these prizes and a trophy, students and parents will be charged for admission.
Why do we need to bring competition to Spotlight? What could possibly be gained from offering money to the groups or charging admission? None of the groups I know of ever participated in Spotlight for a prize - they participated because it was fun and an experience that allowed the student body to simply have a good time as a larger entity. Everyone I have spoken too is upset that they are being charged to go see their friends perform: angry enough that I suspect turnout for Spotlight will be at an all time low.
More subtle changes have also occurred in the Spotlight process, enough to contribute to the Swing Bums dropping out of the show. So I say shame on Spotlight for bringing a competitive element to a show that in previous years was about showcasing all talents, no matter what they were. By making winners we also declare losers. In an already competitive world, why should we add more competition? Spotlight should be about building one another up and enjoying all of the variety we have to offer to one another.
Heather Jones, Junior, Psychology
Spotlight is a tradition that Trinity students are well acquainted with, but what most students might not realize is that the very essence of Spotlight has been drained from it as this year's show approaches. In past years, Spotlight was a talent show to showcase the wide variety of skills and talents that Trinity students possess. People looked forward to seeing everything from large dance groups to song duets to martial arts demonstrations. Parents could even come and see the acts, a good time was had by all, and the campus buzzed for weeks after.
I participated in Spotlight with the Trinity Swing Bums my freshman and sophomore years, and even backstage with the pressure of a "performance" the mood between the groups was fun. However, this year Spotlight is no longer a talent show, and it is no longer free. For reasons that I cannot fathom, Spotlight has been turned into a competition where acts will be pitted against one another for cash, and, in order to fund these prizes and a trophy, students and parents will be charged for admission.
Why do we need to bring competition to Spotlight? What could possibly be gained from offering money to the groups or charging admission? None of the groups I know of ever participated in Spotlight for a prize - they participated because it was fun and an experience that allowed the student body to simply have a good time as a larger entity. Everyone I have spoken too is upset that they are being charged to go see their friends perform: angry enough that I suspect turnout for Spotlight will be at an all time low.
More subtle changes have also occurred in the Spotlight process, enough to contribute to the Swing Bums dropping out of the show. So I say shame on Spotlight for bringing a competitive element to a show that in previous years was about showcasing all talents, no matter what they were. By making winners we also declare losers. In an already competitive world, why should we add more competition? Spotlight should be about building one another up and enjoying all of the variety we have to offer to one another.
Heather Jones, Junior, Psychology