Jerijah West signed up for 'Cuse Got Talent on a whim.

He thought it could be fun and a good opportunity to show people what he does best.

And according to the judges, he was the best in the competition held Saturday.

West, a sophomore communication and rhetorical studies major, commanded the stage at the second annual 'Cuse Got Talent, winning the competition.

The crowd of more than 100 shouted and cheered for West's hip hop/R&B dance routine, which won over the judges and earned West the $400 first place prize.

"It was really intimidating at first, but when I got on stage, it was all about me and expressing how I felt at the moment," West said.

With acts ranging from free-form poetry to interpretive mime dancing, this year's 'Cuse Got Talent embodied the artistic diversity Syracuse University has to offer.

SU students lit up the stage at this year's event, hosted by Phi Beta Sigma and the Traditions Committee. Each act brought its own unique talent to the stage and awaited critiques from a panel of judges who would ultimately determine which act deserved first place.

"I was pleased with the turnout," said Kannan Muralidharan, a senior and Phi Beta Sigma member. "Not only in number, but the diversity as well"   more »