Skip to Content Skip to Footer

WesternU Idols

by Rodney Tanaka

October 15, 2008

Read 2 mins

Most days they’re busy healing and helping their patients. But for one afternoon, WesternU students and faculty entertained and energized their audience.

Nine acts performed live at the CAHP-COMP Idol competition on campus in front of a boisterous crowd of more than 300 who roared with approval after each performance. View pictures of the event >>

“This brings the whole university together for a fun event,” said Tiffany Witherspoon, Clinical Education Assistant for the Department of Physical Therapy Education in the College of Allied Health Professions, one of the event organizers. “This event gives everyone a chance to step out of the box and show what their talents are.”

Local business owners John Gutzwiller with Doubletree Hotel Claremont, Jim Cavanaugh with Dynatronics, Peter Iskander of Flame Broiler, Gaby Segoviano of Gaby’s Fashion and Bridal in Chino, and WesternU Student Government Association President Tracy Chen, DO ’11, served as judges.

Most of the performers were students, but faculty members from the Department of Physical Therapy Education surprised the crowd with a dance performance that incorporated Swiss balls – large, inflatable balls used for exercise and physical therapy. The event also featured clogging by Morgan Evans, DO ’12, and musical performances by Sara Taylor, MSN-E ’10, Jonathan Bulos, DPT ’11, and Venice Europa, DPT ’11.

Eran Wilkerson, MSN-E ’11, sang “It’s Not Over” by Daughtry. He received hearty applause and cheers during and after his performance.

“It seems like a good turnout,” Wilkerson said. “It felt good to have support.”

The winning team was DPT Incorporated, a group of students from the DPT Class of 2009 who used physical therapy techniques and tools in their dance routine. They used a goniometer, which measures range of motion, and gait belts, used to help steady a patient and prevent falls.

Third place went to Tegr Powell, DPT ’10, who performed a modern dance number. Second place went to Scott Rogoff and Tim Whitaker, who sang an original song in honor of their Doctor of Physical Therapy Class of 2009. The song talks about their WesternU classmates always being with them, even as they separate and find their own way in the world.

“We had a lot of great memories,” Rogoff said. “We’re looking forward to moving on, but at the same time this will always be part of our life.”

Categories:

Recommended Stories