Rocket to the Top: Student Wins Local Singing Competition

Rocket to the Top: Student Wins Local Singing Competition

Oscar Tovar has always wanted to be an entertainer.

"When I was a kid, I would listen to music and hear the voices of the singers and how they control their pitch and tone, and I would learn to sing by imitating them," Tovar said. "Then it was just my passion; I wanted to learn more songs and get better at singing."

Tovar, a freshman in University College, took his singing talent and competed in Toledo's Top Talent, a competition show that invited local youths to showcase their artistic skill.

Toledo's Top Talent held its first season through the summer of 2023, in which Tovar was invited to perform.

"The showrunners saw me on Facebook, because they knew my mother and she would repost videos of me singing. One of the heads of the operation, Melinda Sanchez, encouraged me to go and try out," he said. "I got second place, and it made me realize that I can really do this, you know, this is sweet. Then come this year, they reached out to me again. They were like, 'You want to be part of it again?' I was hesitant at first, but then I said, 'You know what? I'll be a part of it.' "

For months, Tovar competed with dozens of young people as they were eliminated show by show, until he made it to the finale with four other contestants.

The finale was a tribute to the late Tejano artist Selena Quintanilla, in which all the contestants were to have performances inspired by her music. The five contestants competed for a grand prize of $2,000 and a signed contract to record an original single with Grammy award-winning producer Gilbert Velasquez in his professional studio located in San Antonio.

Tovar sang Selena's "No Me Queda Mas" for the tribute show.

"I woke up that day prepared. I said, 'You know what? I'm going to go there and I'm going to do what I have to do. I'm going to win that prize,'" he said. "And I felt great about it, honestly. If I didn't win, I would have been happy with that, because all my friends and family were out there in the audience supporting me. But I told myself I would win and that's exactly what happened."

While performing in each elimination round over the summer, Tovar began his first semester at UToledo through the Multicultural Emerging Scholars Program (MESP), which has 30 freshmen spending six weeks on campus before starting the first fall semester.

"Being in MESP made me feel like this is my college, like this is me. I am a UToledo student," Tovar said.

Robert Woodley, program manager for retention at the Office of Multicultural Student Success, was a key part in leading the students involved in the MESP program.

"From the moment I met Oscar, his personality was undeniable; he exudes confidence and possesses an infectious energy that naturally draws people in," Woodley said. "As I've gotten to know him, he's proven to be a determined, multi-talented, and goal-driven young man. There is no doubt that he has a bright future ahead, and we are all witnesses to his burgeoning potential. As long as he remains true to himself and continues to surround himself with positive influences, there is no limit to what he can achieve."

Tovar looks forward to the rest of his time at UToledo.

"I want to use that support from all the people in my life, from my family, from my friends, from the staff at UToledo, for something great," Tovar said. "I know that I can make a difference. I know that I have people that will support me."

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