University of North Alabama - Diorama Yearbook (Florence, AL)

Page 23 text:

The entertainment provided by the SOAR Cabaret was one of soar ' s most memorable moments in the tenth anniversary edition ' Salute To Ten ' The Tenth Anniversary SOAR Show whetted the appetites of many incoming freshmen for college life, and introduced them to some of the finest entertainment in the South. The SOAR Cabaret, directed by Robert Allen Holder, is sponsored by the university and features some of the school ' s finest talent. This edition incorporated parts of the nine previous shows in honor of the tenth anniversary of the SOAR Pro- gram at UNA. The entertainment was divided into two parts. The first part consisted of the floor show where members per- formed solo selections. A good exam- ple of a solo number is Noel Gartman ' s impersonation of Michael Jackson, complete with a moonwalk and the infamous glove. Another featured Gary Jenkins and his guitar solo at the begin- ning of the show. Between the floor show and the Cabaret, the talented musicians of the band performed. Kristi Farmer, Daryl Cowan, Rob Houseman, Rusty Parker by Matt White and Mitch Rigel played pop tunes for the audiences ' enjoyment and pro- vided music for the cast as well. The SOAR Cabaret cast included: Mike Gooch, Melissa Horton, Cissy Ashley, Mark Stevens, Richard Wel- bourne, Patty Kilpatrick, Lisa Rogers, Debbie Shelley, Noel Gartman, Tracy Babcock, Dedra Eastland, Jimmy Whatley, Gary Jenkins, Lisa Jackson, and Sherrie Smith. The Cabaret included some won- derful production numbers such as Everything Old is New based on the theme, Come On And SOAR with the music by Joel Raney. Other num- bers include Magic To Do from the show Pippin and a band feature enti- tled Bird Land. The Cabaret also included a musi- cal skit aimed at the new freshmen and their possible jitters and feelings of homesickness. The skit was called the Hayseed Freshman accompanied by the song Whatever Leo Wants, (an adaptation of Whatever Lola Wants .) The show concluded with the tra- ditional song, Get Happy. The SOAR Cabaret and the Floor Show have come to be more than just a show for incoming freshmen; it has be- come a proving ground for young enter- tainers. Joel Raney, a former cast member, is now starring in a Broadway play for which he wrote the music. Su- zie Vaughn Raney, another former member of the show, is appearing in the popular daytime soap opera The Guiding Light. Director Robert Allen Holder says the community and the college should take great pride in the show ' s unique- ness because there is none quite like it in the country. The SOAR Cabaret and the pro- gram is a great recruiting tool for the university, but its members also serve the community. Each summer, they put on shows at the Regency Square Mall and at the Turtle Point Yacht and Coun- try Club. According to Noel Gartman, the SOAR program makes the stay during orientation enjoyable and Holder add- ed that the community service and im- portance make it all worth while. He said it was good that UNA has the SOAR Cabaret to represent it. The show promotes goodwill and shows how important the school is in the community, said Holder. The entertainment portion of the SOAR program provides a fitting end to a freshman ' s first day on campus. NOEL GARTMAN performs Michael Jack- son ' s Billie Jean for a delighted audience comprised of SOAR participants and the community. Gartman ' s performance was one of the many highlights of the show. Me- lissa Horton and Dedra Eastland provide Gartman ' s accompaniment.

Page 22 text:

. ' iJ: ..

Page 24 text:

Having spent 12 years in school already, freshmen come through SOAR getting ready to Add four more y Cotby. Jr. WITH AN EXPRESSION that sums up what many feel when first entering college. Tanya Willis participates in the SOAR games de- signed to help freshmen get to know one an- other. PREREGISTERING one of her group mem- bers. Amy Cordell was one of the ten coun- selors that helped incoming freshmen pre- pare their first fall schedule. by Gary Cosby, Jr. Of course, a great part of that fun is the magnificent SOAR Cabaret. According to Jodie Rogers, an in- coming freshman, You learned how to run around without an eggshell on your head. That ' s what SOAR is all about — helping incoming freshmen feel at ease with the changes and new surrounding of college life. The program opened with an in- troductory speech by Dr. Dan Leasure, dean of Student Affairs. The address was followed by the introduction of the SOAR counselors by way of a skit. The skit featured the likes of Break Dance Dave, Dave Lennox. The entire group then went up- stairs for a period of games to help the students get acquainted with each other. Lunch with the faculty in Towers Cafeteria gave the new freshmen a chance to get acquainted with a repre- sentative from each academic depart- ment on camp us. The students gathered in the Great Hall for short talks from various GETTING ACQUAINTED with their teach- ers-to-be, lunch at Towers Cafeteria gave freshmen a chance to ask questions and seek advice. Dr. Robinson represented the Psy- chology Department and helped make school a little more friendly and personal. Gary Cotby. Jr.