Jeremy Lucero and Isacc Resendiz were the $300 winners on April 30 at the 68th Annual Spring Sing talent competition. The Long Beach City College event was filled with singing, poetry, and instrumental performances in front of an audience over Facebook Live.
LBCC’s Activities Director Derek Oriee, kicked off the night with a few remarks regarding the return of the competition.
“After skipping it last year due to COVID, we wanted to bring it back and try to keep the tradition going,” said Oriee. “We’re hoping to get back to our brand-new remodeled auditorium next spring.”
Chair of the Viking Activities Council Veronica Jurado, hosted the event and introduced the five participants which consisted of four musicals and one poetic act.
Lucero was up first and opened with, coincidentally, his vocal rendition of Joseph Vincent’s “Our First Song”. Afterwards, Lucero followed this with a cover of Noel Cabangon’s “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko.”
“Since (May) is Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month I wanted to sing a song that I grew up listening to,” explained Lucero. “My mother would sing it all the time.” Lucero sang in the Filipino language (tagalog) and streamed an English translation of the lyrics to the audience.
Resendiz performed second and read aloud three original poems exploring the themes of heartbreak, exploration, and love.
“To Love You Like I Do,” exposed the disappointment of unrequited love, “Outside My Window,” captured the blissfulness of discovering the outdoors, and, “The Many Shades of Love,” translated the feeling of love into colors.
Resendiz is an English major and claims that his background in writing is what helped him prepare for Spring Sing. “I really enjoy writing lyrics, poetry, and I’m taking a screenwriting class,” said Resendiz.
Next up was Stephanie Sabol who sang and performed on keyboard, an untitled original song. Her lyrics explored the idea of reflecting upon one’s own life after death and reminiscing about loved ones.
In her free time, she enjoys writing music and has a YouTube channel where she posts songs as well as videos at her favorite spots in Long Beach.
The fourth contestant was Ashley Flynn, a vocal performance major, who sang an original piece titled “Magnolia.”
“This song is about a beautiful little bird who was rescued from the jaws of death and carried to freedom,” said Flynn.
Some of the musical influences she cited included the likes of Tori Amos and Evanescence. “I fill myself with music until it just has to come out of me,” Flynn said.
The final contestant was Chloe Lesnick who sang and performed on guitar, two original songs.
The first one, untitled, covered the topics of, “burnout and depression,” said Lesnick. The second song, “Enough About Me,” explored the aspects of personal growth.
Lesnick’s songs had a quality of sounding very upbeat while including darker lyrics such as, “I’m still trying to figure out how to get through the day/ Without hurting myself and the people around me.”
The winners were determined by a panel of four judges; Student Life Coordinator Telia Roberts, Operations Manager Cheryl Williams, Viking Activities Treasurer Tina Green, and Viking Volunteer Representative Christopher Holt.
Resendiz was the only entry in the poetry category of the competition and automatically won the $300 first place prize. Flynn won $50 for third place in the music category, Sabol scored second with $150, and Lucero was the overall $300 winner for music.
To re-watch the performances from Spring Sing 2021, a recording can be found on LBCC’s Student Life Facebook page.