By Julian Feurer
Eight University of Maryland student comedians took to the stage Oct. 5 for Student Entertainment Events’ Student Comedy Competition. In preparation for the Homecoming Comedy Show, SEE hosted a competition to showcase student talent and give aspiring student comedians the chance to perform in front of their peers.
The contestants competed for Pokémon cards, a mini fridge and tickets to meet comedians Sal Vulcano or Josh Johnson during the Homecoming show.
“I just wanted students to laugh, be able to share their jokes, their memories, their stories,” said Diego Varisco, a senior chemical engineering major and SEE comedy director.
The competition took place in Stamp Student Union’s Baltimore Room, where the UMD improv group Erasable Inc. gave an opening performance. Each contestant had five minutes of stage time to perform in front of a panel of judges. The contestants were judged on the audience’s reactions to their set.
Aaliyah Jamison, a freshman atmospheric and oceanic sciences major, cracked up the audience with her sketch about dislocating her jaw, winning her first place and tickets to meet Vulcano.
“I feel so proud,” Jamison said. “I feel very accomplished and the whole purpose of doing this was so that I could get out of my comfort zone.”
Audience members laugh at jokes told by student comedians at the SEE Comedy Competition. Photo by Julian Feurer. 
A student comedian performs a sketch at the SEE Comedy Competition. Photo by Julian Feurer. 
A student comedian performs a sketch at the SEE Comedy Competition. Photo by Julian Feurer. 
Family of student comedian Aaliyah Jameson embrace after her performance. Photo by Julian Feurer.
For Jamison and other contestants, the competition was more than a chance to win prizes; it was a chance to express themselves through comedy and find community.
“I think it’s important to see that everyone has a voice and everyone has opportunities where they can shine and show their artistic values,” Jem Highstein, sophomore theatre major and member of Erasable Inc., said.
Comedy offered the performers a way to turn their own experiences into something they could share with others. The five minute set up allowed the comedians to experiment with their expression, resulting in an array of comedic styles for the audience.
To Varisco, this variety added to the success of the competition.
“Every comedian seemed to have a different twist and turn on things, which I really loved,” Varisco said.
Beyond the competition itself, this event brought together students to support one another and share their appreciation for comedy.
“I came here to support Aaliyah and cheer for her, and I ended up hearing some really fun jokes,” Anna Burchynska, a freshman nursing major, said.
As the competition wrapped up, the student comedians left with more than a chance to win a prize. SEE’s comedy competition offered students a space to express themselves and find their voice in comedy.
Featured Image: A student comedian performs a sketch at the SEE Comedy Competition. Photo by Julian Feurer.