Villanova’s Got Talent, Villanova’s first schoolwide talent show, will take place at the Mullen Center on April 26. Hosted by the VUnited Scholars, the event is an opportunity for students to celebrate and display their talents.
Molly Shawhan, director of VUnited Scholars, and Deborah Harris, assistant director of VUnited Scholars, are already getting ready for the event. Held in the style of America’s Got Talent, with “celebrity” judges like Alicia Vitarelli, Jay Wright and Father Peter, the show will be an unforgettable night.
“[This idea] actually stemmed from an idea back in 2020 with the opening of the Mullen Center,” Shawhan said. “They wanted to have a campus-wide talent showcase. And then years later, we thought it would be great if we could.”
The showcase is intertwined not only with the values of Villanova but also with those of the VUnited program.
“Our program really focuses on the strengths of our students, so we thought it’d be awesome if we could showcase all of Villanova’s strengths and talents and unique and diverse abilities in so many ways,” Shawhan shared.
For the last four years, the VUnited program has been dedicated to creating a welcoming environment for students of all neurodiverse abilities, and through that, creating opportunity.
With the help of popular alumnus Noel B. Doherty, the event will be hosted by a student in the VUnited program: freshman student Hunter Ivery. While this is his first time working an event of this magnitude, he’s excited. Getting the opportunity to host VGT is a special opportunity for him.
“It’s good for people who struggled in high school with autism or neurodiversity, as not that many people get recognized for it or get help for it,” Ivery shared. “I think that the program is great for everybody.”
One of the biggest obstacles throughout the process of planning so far has been gaining exposure. Whether it’s adding VGT stickers on Holy Grounds coffee cups, gathering student ambassadors or connecting with student organizations, VUnited has made strides to make sure Villanova’s Got Talent is talked about. The student ambassadors have been instrumental in this area, working to generate social media engagement and general excitement on campus.
“I became a Villanova’s Got Talent ambassador because I love creating opportunities that bring the campus community together and give students a platform to share their passions,” sophomore Elizabeth Howard said. “VGT celebrates the creativity and passion of Villanova, and I’m excited to help showcase talents from our community.”
The VUnited scholars hope to one day make Villanova’s Got Talent not only an annual event, but also a crucial and unforgettable Villanova tradition. The show is a special opportunity for special students, and Shawhan and Harris know how vital the participants are to the show. They urge students to display their talents.
Submissions are due by March 2. To be considered for the show, one has to submit a three-minute performance of the talent they expect to display.
