Join us for We’ve Got Talent — an amateur talent competition judged by a panel of local experts. The event features a live show plus refreshments & other surprises.

The best part is that 100% of the proceeds from this event go to the LUM Good Samaritan Fund, an emergency financial assistance fund that supports local families & individuals in need.

Details are as follows:

• DATE – Friday, April 12
• TIME -Doors open – 5:30, show starts 6:30
• PLACE – St Andrew United Methodist Church, West Lafayette, Indiana
• DONATION – $35 per person; $280 per table (max. 8)

Want to PERFORM?

Talk to your church’s representative on the LUM Board of Directors.

NOT able to attend? 

If you aren’t able to attend We’ve Got Talent but wish to make a donation to the LUM Good Samaritan Fund — click the button below.

PRESENTING Sponsor 

Thanks to First Farmers Bank & Trust for their generous sponsorship of We’ve Got Talent, which benefits the LUM Good Samaritan Fund.

VOLUNTEER

If you or your group wishes to volunteer at We’ve Got Talent, click HERE.

Hilary Mirelez – Representing the Unitarian Universalist Church.

Hilary Mirelez was the winner of We’ve Got Talent 2023 and is back to defend her title!  She grew up in Ohio, where she started her vocal training with the Kettering Children’s Choir at age 8. This provided her with key professional performance opportunities that solidified her passion for singing. Upon graduating high school in 2009, she moved to Lafayette and performed as a Purduette during her time at Purdue. Today, she sings harmonies with Ebony & the Ruckus, collaborates with some of the many talented musicians in the area, and occasionally feeds her soul by sharing music on Sunday mornings at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tippecanoe County.

Michelle Newell-Jackson – Representing Second Baptist Church.

Michelle took 2nd place at We’ve Got Talent 2023 and is back to defend her trophy. Michelle is a country gospel solo singer and songwriter from Kingston, Jamaica. She  began singing at the age of six years old and started her professional career at age 17. Michelle has enjoyed a great career of ministering in songs and performed at several events and churches in the state of Iowa, including the Harmony Hawks Best of Cedar Rapids Gospel Concert held at New Covenant Bible Church and the “I’ll Make Me A World In Iowa” event in DesMoines. Her melodic tones are inspirational and uplifting.  Country  Gospel is her ministry.

Izzy Knapp – Representing Trinity United Methodist Church.

Izzy Knapp is a Junior at Harrison High School who loves to perform. You may have seen her previously in numerous HHS Drama productions, most recently being Mean Girls (Regina George) and Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey). This past fall, she served as the music director for HHS’s Fall Play, A Christmas Carol. She loves to act and often performs in classes and cabarets with Get Dramatic. Shoutout to her vocal coach, Monica Schaeffer, and her parents for always supporting her.

Sally Coffman and Chuck Newton – Representing Saint Andrew United Methodist Church.

Sally was the director of the Civic Theatre Comedy Readers for 27 years and is the author of six humor books. She and her colleague, Chuck Newton, will perform as a comedy duo. They’ve entertained audiences at retirement communities, church groups, and nursing homes. Sally and Chuck will read two uproarious skits, guaranteed to make
you laugh!

Emily Newman – Representing Faith Presbyterian Church.

Emily is the choir director at Faith Presbyterian Church. She has loved music her whole life and enjoys sharing it with others through choir and leading worship as well as private piano and voice lessons. She lives on the north side of Lafayette with her husband, two sons, and three cats. 

Bob Poynter – Representing Saint Mary Cathedral.

Bob enjoys two major passions in his life. First he has practiced law in Lafayette since  graduating from IU Law School in 1966. Also, but not second, he has entertained many audiences as a magician across the US since a church in Kokomo hired him to do a magic show for a church supper in 1956. He received a check for his work that night and thought he had died and gone to heaven. He has pursued both passions equally ever since. Pray that this passion continues.

Pastor Kory Pritchett – Representing First United Methodist Church.

Kory Pritchett first started playing guitar and piano as a teen.  Since then, he’s spent the last fifteen years leading praise bands and performing at churches.  In addition to his full time job with the Purdue department of Engineering  Education, Kory is also a part-time associate pastor at First United Methodist Church.

Onyx Uzomah – Representing First Christian Church.

Onyx Uzomah transplanted to the Greater Lafayette area from Los Angeles County in the summer of 2008. After completing her master’s degree at Purdue University, she kind of forgot to move back home and has made a life for herself here amongst wonderful people. She’s sung in some type of choir or group since she was 5yrs old, loving the experience of making beautiful harmonic sounds with other singers. Currently, you can find her regularly singing with the All Campus and Community Chorale (AC3) at Purdue Musical Organizations; otherwise, she’s usually that person at the red light harmonizing to whatever may be on her radio at the moment.

Beth Tran and Deni & Semaj Gavin – Representing the Tippecanoe Democratic Party.

Beth, Deni and Semaj are a musical family.  Beth plays flute and piano, Deni plays the guitar, Semaj is taking private voice lessons and preparing to join the West Lafayette Junior High Choir. They often do karaoke as a family, but We’ve Got Talent will be their musical debut. Beth is a professor of biochemistry at Purdue and Deni drives a semi for Toyota.

Richard VonTersch – Representing St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center.

Richard is currently a senior at Purdue majoring in computer engineering. He’s loved music all his life, and before coming to college he was active in both musical theater and choir in his hometown of Dumfries, Virginia.  During his time at Purdue, he’s maintained his love for music by cantoring and singing in the 7pm mass choir at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center.