Entering the lobby of the auditorium, students walked down the red carpet to see who would win certificates in Texas A&M University-San Antonio’s student’s choice awards ceremony. DJ Rizz set the mood as he played piano covers of popular songs.
The theme of the night was red carpet Hollywood. Nominees sat in the front rows closer to the stage dressed like the star-studded cast of a movie premiere. The main stage was given a backdrop depicting the Hollywood sign and hills.
Sponsored by the Campus Activities Board, the Inaugural Student Choice Awards took place at 7 p.m. on April 20.
The event “was made by students for students,” said Brandan Salazar, communications senior and CAB’s event coordinator.
“Our award categories, we try to be all encompassing…we really drove off of the yearbook superlatives,” Salazar.
Award categories included: Best Dressed, Cutest Couple, Best Professor, Tallest Jaguar, Shortest Jaguar, Most Likely to Go Pro, Most Likely to Go Viral, Biggest Flirt, Most Involved Jaguar, Best Friend Duo and MVP Jaguar.
Hosting the night’s award show was business management senior Joseph Pena and computer science freshman Kevin Adkins.
Students performed between award announcements. The show opener “The Band” with computer science freshman Tirika Tsatenawa on electric guitar and psychology sophomore Joshua Guerra on vocals and bass guitar played a cover of “Toxicity” by System Of A Down.
Following the first student performance, presenters announced the winner for Shortest and Tallest Jaguar. Winner of the Shortest Jaguar award was Frida Gill, wearing a long-sleeved silver dress. Winner of the Tallest Jaguar award was kinesiology senior Joshua Gilbert.
The winner of the professor of the year award was social science professor Sarah Pollock who was unable to attend the event. Presenters accepted the award on her behalf.
The crowd drumrolled for the next student performance, which showcased the Bollywood and hip-hop-inspired dance routine given by Anahil Yeverino.
Education senior Brittany Day was the winner of the Biggest Flirt award. Walking across the stage wearing a black dress with cowboy boots with a matching cowboy hat, she gave a Texas twist on the typical Hollywood style.
Brandan Salazar was awarded Most Likely to Go Viral. On stage Salazar said, “I hope to be the next Bretman Rock.”
Next up, Julie sang a cover of “Hello” by Adele. Her cover moved some audience members to pull out their phone flashlights and wave them side to side to show their support.
Presented by Richard Villareal, the winner of Best Dressed was psychology junior Hayde Gonzalez Cejas. Cejas wore a black dress with matching beret, Windsor sunglasses and sheer black shawl. Her outfit was inspired by the 2006 film “The Devil Wears Prada.” Her outfit was reminiscent of Anne Hathways character Andy’ s final transformation gown near the end of the movie. “It was like ‘Devil wears Prada’- I’ve recently been watching it too much,” Cejas said.
The winners for Best Friend Duo were general studies senior Doroteo Pena and kinesiology senior Gilbert. They left the stage showing everyone their unique handshake — right hands clap together then turn into a fist bump twist and finally they pull each other into a bro hug — “that’s why we’re best friends,” said Pena.
“I’m really honored and it’s a really honoring moment…there’s a lot of people to thank,” said Pena. Pena also won the award for “Most Likely to Go Pro” as his future plan is to be an NFL coach.
The third performer of the night was Trey Toros who sang a rendition of “Beautiful Girls” by Sean Kingston. The crowd went crazy for Toros, waving their arms and singing along.
Toros was interactive with the crowd throughout his performance as this wasn’t his first rodeo. “It’s always a surreal experience, the adrenaline hits, you look at everyone else and you just want everyone involved,” Toros said.
Winners of the Cutest Couple award went to political science senior Yanellie Chapa and Gilbert. Chapa also went on to win the Most Involved Jaguar award. In her speech, she encouraged the audience to get involved on campus.
“Attend different involvement fairs [and events on campus]… it’s also a good way to make friends,” Chapa said.
“For the campus activities board running something like this for the first time…I am very impressed and very proud of the organization for doing something fun and positive,” said Seth Maldonado, computer information systems major and former CAB director.
The final award of the night was given to D’Markus Floyd for the MVP Jaguar. He wore a gray camouflage-pattern blazer and sunglasses. “Everywhere they go they set the goal and they set the vibe.” said communication junior and Ms. A&M San Antonio Lanie Perez. With a smile on his face and without saying a word, Floyd danced his way on and off the stage.
The award show concluded around 9:30 p.m. amid stormy weather.
Voting took place on JagSync April 10-12
