A Bittersweet Finale: GSP’s Final Showcase Brings Laughter, Tears, and Thunderous Applause
Written by: Ella Pierce
What a way to end the showcase. Scholars showed up and showed out on week four, the final showcase of the 2025 Governors Scholar Program at Murray State. Excitement rippled through the building as the scholars were on the edge of their seats watching vocals, interpretive dances, and skits. What were the five-star acts this week? Let’s find out with a common consensus given by scholars!
Jamband, a group that meets every week to compose an instrumental performance utilizing many instruments and voices, performed “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac. Including instrument solos and an electrifying beat, Jamband magnified the thrill in the room, dissipating the pressure of being the first act.
Chuckles of laughter immediately overflowed the Johnson Theatre as “Wormy,” a dancing sensation, started to peek through his curtains. Performing to the ballad “Drivers License” by Olivia Rodrigo, the crowd felt Wormy’s heartache and passion as he wiggled around the stage. Now you may be asking, a real living and breathing worm? Some scholars were so moved to think so; however, behind the scenes, Residential Advisor Liz McClurg acted as the puppetmaster to her crocheted creation. The crowd was in awe of such a unique performance and RA Liz’s secret talent.
Can I get a beat? Scholars Anna Conner and Alex Board performed an original “roast” to a beat that caused scholars to sit with their eyes and mouths wide open. Friends off stage—or so we think—Anna and Alex shared mic-dropping comedic insults to the crowd about one another. Who won, you ask? That’s up to Friday night’s crowd!
Back again, Ali Yarali led the crowd in singing “You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift. Scholars were enchanted, belting out every lyric and cheering on Ali’s dramatic performance. His dance moves and passion took the hearts of students and caused an uproar of applause at the end of his performance.
Up next, the group “Mafia” performed an expressive dance and vocal to “Espresso Macchiato” by Tommy Cash. Setting the scene, scholar Olivia Ta was center stage, surrounded by security. The audience was shocked when Olivia was elevated above the ground and carried across the stage by the bodyguards. The unique interpretation of this catchy tune is what GSP Showcase is all about.
We’d sure “catch a grenade for ya,” Anthony “Marlon” Anicete. As he entered the stage, the crowd immediately burst into applause, awaiting another Bruno Mars performance. A crowd favorite, Marlon had everyone mesmerized as he pulled his sunglasses down and winked at the audience. His successful performance once again created a wild house environment and deeper love for Marlon.
Harper Lukacsko performed an original GSpun to the song “Popular” from the well-known musical “Wicked.” Her uniquely crafted and relatable jokes put smiles on the audience’s faces as they thought about their GSP experience. Even more, her beautiful voice echoed through the theater, hitting all of the high notes for an enjoyable act.
Led by guitarist Ella Sharp and bassist Eli Hays, GSPraise took the GSP community to church, worshipping to the Cody Carnes single “The Blessing.” The band’s harmony sent chills down the scholars’ spines, and passion radiated through the room. The heartfelt performance even left the room in deep thought as they interpreted the song’s meaning.
Hall 2C came together and performed a comedic performance to the “Sofia the First” theme song. Twirling around in tutus, cartwheeling across the stage, and fervently singing the lyrics, 2C left the crowd in tears (of joy).
Even though they couldn’t perform the song of their dreams, NOTCREEP still stunned the crowd with their sincere rendition of “Somewhere Only We Know” by the alternative rock band Keane. This performance was truly moving and emotional.
GSPeeps performed a high-energy hip-hop dance to “Grove Street Party” by Waka Flocka Flame. Their impressive moves and baller outfits glided across the stage. This piece of entertainment set the group apart from the rest of the showcase, as it was the only act to perform a trendy group dance.
The final performance of the evening was the classic Radiohead hit, “Creep.” Performed by multiple faculty members, it was a bittersweet conclusion to a lovely showcase and an even more lovely program.
Written by Ella Pierce and Josiah Self
GSP-Murray Showcase Week Four
Performers (in order of appearance):
- Jam Band
- Nolan Williams
- Audrey Kohler
- Donovan Macarlo-Avila
- Wormy
- Brennan Lemmond
- Los Bailadores Del Flo
- Emma Coots
- Anna Conner & Alex Board
- Ali Yarali
- Mason & Maddy
- Houston Oliver
- Stella Derenge
- Landon Hinz
- Mafia
- Peyton Ervin
- Sivani Babu
- Anthony Anicete
- Tori Atilano
- Moira Rolfes
- Harper Lukacsko
- Brayden Thompson
- Elliot Higginbotham
- GSPraise
- Aubree Abbott
- Matthew Wattenberger
- 2C Hall
- Savannah Ballard
- Jon Jay Moore
- NOT CREEP
- GSPeeps
- Marshall Lockard
- Kennedy Julian
- Lindy Berger
- Claire McCain
- GSPhaculty
Tech Crew:
Ben Burch, Jennifer Cheser, Colton Clark, Jesse Cleaves, Ben Corman, Benjamin Dakin, Ava Hegge, Kate Lonneman, Cassandra Lyons, David Niyigena, Drew Rich, Ella Sears, Josiah Self, Ava Sikorski, Azam Tashtanov, Memphis Thalman, ZhyErica Trabue, Dairrhius Webb