“I’ve been trying to work on my comedy for about five years. I use jokes as an opportunity to make the daily grind easier every day.”
— Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Hoffman
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Spc. Jon Silva, with the 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division sings one of his favorite songs winning the Ivy’s Got Talent event at the Special Event Center at Fort Carson May 24, 2022. The Ivy’s Got Talent event is a new competition to showcase the top talent of each brigade across Fort Carson to showcase esprit de corps. (Photo by Sgt. Trinity Carter)
By Sgt. Trinity Carter
4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
FORT CARSON, Colo. — The Ivy’s Got Talent event showcased 4th Infantry Division Soldiers’ creative skills with song, comedy and magic at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center at Fort Carson May 24, 2022.
Soldiers across the 4th Inf. Div. gathered to watch their fellow Soldiers perform during Ivy Week. Ten contestants performed in front of a panel of six judges who critiqued each performance by the contestant’s imagination, creativity, confidence, presentation, voice projection and crowd appeal.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — A panel of six judges, including Command Sgt. Maj. Adam Nash, senior enlisted leader, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, laugh with a comedian during the Ivy’s Got Talent event at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center on Fort Carson May 24, 2022. The Ivy’s Got Talent event critiqued contestants based on their imagination, creativity, confidence, presentation, voice projection and crowd appeal. (Photo by Sgt. Trinity Carter)
Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Hoffman, a human resources sergeant with 52nd Brigade Engineer Battalion, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th. Inf. Div. said, “I’ve been trying to work on my comedy for about five years. I use jokes as an opportunity to make the daily grind easier every day.”
Many Soldiers, like Hoffman, use their talents as a method to boost their esprit de corps in their work and social life. Maj. Jeff Scott, one of the judges for the Ivy’s Got Talent event mentions how the Ivy’s Got Talent event gives Soldiers the opportunity to showcase their talents and boost their morale within the division.
Those 10 Soldiers showed their units what their talents were, but one Soldier captured the judge’s attention, winning the talent competition by 14 points. Spc. Jon Silva with 4th Division Sustainment Brigade; 4th Inf. Div., sang Tennessee Whiskey by Chris Stapleton that he said was dedicated to his wife sitting in the audience.
The Ivy Division has a rich legacy of greatness that is recognized by the esprit de corps of the Soldiers. The Ivy’s Got Talent brought together many brigades as the contestants were encouraged after their performance, no matter how different they were. From magic to yodeling to singing a love song, all Soldiers were cheered and encouraged to continue performing.
The audience made enough noise to recognize that the Ivy Division is proud of who they are and knows that what they do matters.
Scott said that the turnout was very positive and only time will tell if Ivy Week 2023 will hold another Ivy’s Got Talent event.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — The 10 contestants line up to be recognized for their talents as they wait for the winner to be announced May 24, 2022, at William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center on Fort Carson. The Ivy’s Got Talent event is a new competition to showcase the top talent of each brigade across Fort Carson to showcase esprit de corps. (Photo by Sgt. Trinity Carter)