A Touch of Class I n the spring of 1985, Marty Reagan, now a junior, tried to think of a way for students to show their entertaining abilities in an amateur setting. His best idea: To have a talent night monthly in the Pattie Cobb cafeteria. Reagan worked with Dadie Warren, the cafeteria's director, as a student public relations coordinator. When she heard the idea, she agreed that it was a good one so in the fall of 1985 there was a stage built and a sound-system. Show lights were also available. The first show, hosted by Reagan, was a success, as Harding entertainer Chuck Baril was featured, among others. Baril has since taken over the show, and it continued to be successful each month. "It's taken time to get what I call an acceptance of the show - and people ask me when the next show will be. People see other people perform, and then they want to join in;' said Baril enthusiastically. "I think it's hard for people to get in front of their peers. It's one of the toughest audiences to please:' Students sang a variety of songs, from Elton John to Amy Grant, fourpart harmony to Whitney Houston. "There are many good performers with varied talents at Harding. Most have no place to express their talents. What better way?" asked Reagan. The audience? Loud. Avid talentseeking fans sat directly around the stage, but the cafeteria was large, and noise came from all sides. Baril says that normally Warren has a special dinner prepared for the event. "Sometimes Cor Don Bleu chicken, steak, sometimes Italian with pizza and spaghetti, and of course, seafood with shrimp, fish, and even frog legs:' Tablecloths and candlelighting make the evening more enjoyable for students. Baril says the events provide for a good atmosphere, "Like going someplace nice, you know, not the normal:' Mrs. Warren said the show will go on as long as it remains popular. ~ - Marty Reagan From the heart. Senior Tim Tripp from Lancaster, OH and sophomore Bill Tripp, his brother, entertain the audience of pattie Cobb with their rendition of "Let the Wind Blow'~ The Pattie Cobb talent show was made possible due to the efforts of senior Chuck Baril; he devoted much of his time and effort not to mention his talents to provide the most enjoyable show possible. - photo by Jerry Traughber. Melissa V. Welchel - Searcy, AR Carl Edward Weller - Glens Falls, NY Robin Michelle Wenger - Clark, NJ Kent Coleman Westbrook - Little Rock, AR Janna Leah Wharton - Greenwood, MO Laura Michelle White - Pasadena, TX Ralph Douglas White - St. Paul, MN Eric Lee Whittington - Baton Rouge, LA Lisa Yvonne Wilkins - McAlester, OK Alexander Albert Williams - Cayo, Belize John Michael Williams - Searcy, AR Leslie James Williams - Prince Albert, Canada Mark Grady Wiliams - Oakdale, LA Rachel Ann Williams - Franklin, AR Kelly Marie Willis - Clay, NY Alisa Jo Wilson - Fulton, IN Dale Allen Wilson - Seneca, MO Warren Frederick Wilson - Clarksburg, WV Charles R. Windle - Perryville, AR Ruth Ellen Wingfield - N. Little Rock, AR Matthew Lee Wissinger - Littleton, CO Randy James Wood - Mabelvale, AR Frederick Steve Woodall - Little Rock, AR Jorge Woog - Mexico City, Mexico Paul Edward Woolard - Pana, IL Albert Claud Wright - Searcy, AR Helen Denise Wright - Huntsville, AL Valerie Annette Yates - W. Monroe, LA Nathan Lowell Yoder - Flint, Ml Carolyn Renee Young - Harrison, AR Kristina Lynn Young - Alcoa, TN Crystal Lynne Younger - Chester, PA Michael John Zanoli - Birmingham, Ml • Shades of Juniors 129
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