By Brian Harrin
Education junior Samantha Ruiz hopes to one day be a singer and has even tried out twice for NBC’s “The Voice.”
But there was an issue for her to overcome — her shyness. Karaoke Tuesday would give her the perfect venue to do so. Her family encouraged her to try it out.
She’s just one of dozens of students who turn out every month for the outgoing, fun, singing showdown sponsored by Campus Activities Board (CAB).
Karaoke Tuesday at Texas A&M University-San Antonio offers more than just another campus event. It allows Jaguars to be unique, and freely express themselves in an open and non-judgemental space. Some aspire to be singers while some do it to inspire others to release their inner potential.
The casual event launched in Fall 2015 and has been a popular hit, offering students and faculty the chance to hear a variety of genres and voices while enjoying lunch.
As for the people who garner up the courage to sing publicly, they have different reasons for taking the stage.
All ages can sing, as the case with Stephen Valdez, a 47-year-old marketing junior. Valdez, a frequent returning participant to Karaoke Tuesday, joked that once “he was introduced as a staff member” and had to quickly correct them that he was actually a student.
It turns out the cafeteria is just one of the marketing student’s singing venues. He and his 74-year-old mom run the Steve-O Show on the weekends, in which they perform at different venues, mostly for senior citizens.
When performing for the older crowd at the senior centers, Valdez said “everyone loves Elvis,” adding that he gets a lot of satisfaction by performing his Elvis routine, outfit and all.
“It’s a lot of fun, and we make a little money doing it, barely enough to cover our costs,” he said.
Valdez works during the day but makes sure he sets aside time to sing at the monthly Karaoke Tuesday on campus.
The event Tuesday allows Valdez to expand outside his set genre for seniors and sing some newer tunes for the younger Jaguar crowd.
For students hesitant on singing in public, Valdez has some good advice: “If you never start the journey of a thousand miles, one step, you’ll never get there,” he said.
Valdez broke through his shyness by “letting it all out” and just being himself. He said there is a lot of talent at A&M-San Antonio and venues like Karaoke Tuesday allow that talent to be fully harnessed.
As the famed country singer George Strait would say, “It Just Comes Natural,” which rings true with Michelle Thompson, a mathematics senior.
She describes herself as a “karaoke junkie” and said Karaoke Tuesday is “fun and a way for my friends and I to take a break from school.” Thompson, who has sung at the monthly campus event six times now, prefers singing country and 80’s/90s music.
As for Thompson’s singing aspirations, she tried out for “American Idol” in the past and said she would not turn down an offer if the opportunity knocks on her door.
CAB President Kimberly Vazquez, makes it all happen.
Vazquez said that Karaoke Tuesday this semester brought “some success” and “there is room to improve.”
She hopes to have karaoke back for the fall semester and incorporate some new things, especially with freshmen and sophomores arriving in August.
Vazquez said she is most proud of “the fact that we have students who are so willing to sing, willing to get up there, and show themselves.”
She made history of her own when she sang at a recent Karaoke Tuesday.
CAB is always looking for talent and if a student would like to sing or perform at a campus event, head to the Talent Notification Form on JagSync to showcase their talent. Those selected to perform could even be compensated for their time and effort.
From Elvis to Rascal Flatts, there is something for all Jaguars to enjoy at Karaoke Tuesday. And for those who may not want to sing just yet, check it out and a door prize may be in your fortune. Look for the next Karaoke Tuesday event this Fall.
As for Ruiz, she sings a lot of country and Christian music, but her favorite song is “What Hurts The Most” by Rascal Flatts. Each Karaoke Tuesday event for Ruiz is best represented by country artist Sara Evans and her hit song “A Little Bit Stronger.” Confidence is built each time for Ruiz thanks to Karaoke Tuesday.
