Humber’s Talent showcased many diverse performers who have worked hard to share their talents at the fundraising event to fight student food insecurity.
The event happened in the LinX Lounge on the North campus on Dec. 2.
Tuba Chishti, who works in student success engagement as a senior administrator, said the fundraising is to help students with food insecurity.
‘’All the talent donated their talents, so they didn’t get paid anything. It’s all to raise money for students struggling with food and security,’’ she said.
‘’I don’t know the exact amount, it was just under $5,000,’’ Chishti said about the amount raised. ‘’I think it might be over $5,000 by the end.’’
Chishti said the event was timed for Giving Tuesday.
‘’Today is Giving Tuesday, students will be on campus, as well, so we want to do it while students are still here, but also because today we get donations doubled,’’ she said.
All performers contributed to the students who struggle with food insecurity.
Ramandeep Kaur, who works in the HR department, performed a Punjabi dance.
‘’I specifically chose a Punjabi dance, and this is basically my way of telling people that humans are the most beautiful creatures God has created,’’’ Kaur said.
Kaur talked more about the message that she is trying to share through her song of choice.
‘’You don’t need jewellery, you don’t need expensive clothes, you don’t need any fancy stuff like the way you love, the way you give to society, and the way you love and respect other people and support other people, that’s the best way,’’ she said. ‘’ And if you can do that, you are such an angel.’’
Kaur said she was excited to be able to help others.
‘’I’m so excited, and I've been so happy that I was able to contribute my way to this event in the aspect of supporting Humber’s students for their food and security,’’ she said.
Kaur said her parents' lesson on giving back to society inspired her to participate in this year’s talent showcase. Medical issues prevented Kaur from participating in the past.
She said her parents taught her to donate and give back to society "as a human being, and since the last three years, I was not able to do much towards society,’’ Kaur said.
Kaur said being able to dance brought her happiness, and she enjoyed herself.
Eric Landry, who said he has been drumming for 38 years, performed in a drum solo at 90 beats per minute.
‘’I grabbed a whole bunch of beats from different drummers over the years that I knew, and then I put some solo drumming on the end of it,’’ he said.
Landry said he wanted to try something new and the talent show was the perfect opportunity to do it.
‘’Like a drum solo. I’ve never done it. I always just sat in the back, and the band played. I could hide behind the band, and I never did the solo, and I thought, 'Okay, let me see if I can put something together here,'’’ he said. ‘’It was kind of a personal creative challenge.’’
Landry had a motivational message for all the performers.
‘’Persistent and keep trying. I think the other thing that really helps me is I have a very inspirational teacher,’’ he said.
Chishti talks about how she was inspired by the performances.
‘’It’s just so inspiring and wonderful because we get to see people like in one small part of them, so getting to see this huge part of them is wonderful,’’ she said.
Zakir Mohammed, who works in the Information Technology Services department as an event coordinator and is part of the organizing committee, said the experience was enjoyable.
‘’I love it. It brings everybody together, it’s for a good cause, and we raised some money, and people had fun,’’ he said.
Mohammed believes the event brought many people to see the performers, and he’s encouraging more students to see the next talent show.
‘’There were a lot of students here today, but I recommend for the next year more students come in and enjoy the show. And see what the Humber staff has to offer in terms of talent,’’ Mohammed said.
