Moorpark College came and showed off its talent at the 12th annual Talent Show on Jan. 29, with a Viking drummer walking away with the first place spot and cash prize.

Presented by the Moorpark College Associated Students, Music major Donna Meichtry nabbed the first place prize of $300 with a drum solo.

“I was surprised to see so many different students at Moorpark having different backgrounds,” said president of MC Dance Club, and one of the judges for the Talent Show, Ryan Schultze.

Exotic Animal Training and Management major Samantha Levitt came in second, winning $200, with a performance of the song “Girl in 14G” by Jeanine Tesori, and Ryan Langton earned the third place spot and $100 with a routine where he juggled and rode a unicycle to “Art of War” by Vanessa Mae.

Meichtry, who has long performed in other bands such as JDKz and Baby Alive, came up with the idea of a Viking drummer to help deal with her own anxiety of performing by herself.

“I’ve always been nervous about just doing a drum solo, so I thought this would be an easier way to bring myself into the drum solo,” said Meichtry.

The show itself featured acts from students that included dance routines, vocal performances and student-written poetry.

After the last act, the judges convened to vote on the winners while the band The Quiet gave a special performance.

Langton said that he has been a juggler and unicyclist since he was young, so his act didn’t require much practice beforehand.

“The skills are developed over many years, and the act itself just comes together at the last minute,” said Langton.

Walking away with the first place trophy and decked out in war paint, Meichtry says the Viking character can take on a life of its own.

“When I put the helmet on, it’s like I turn into a different person,” said Meichtry. “It gives me the strength to perform.”

DVD’s for the Talent Show are available for purchase through the Associated Students office.