Laughter filled the Holmes Student Center’s Diversions Lounge Friday night for two hours as five NIU students performed in “Laugh Out Loud,” a student stand-up comedy contest sponsored by Alpha Sigma Omega Latina Sorority, Inc.

Nadia Ascencio, a senior elementary education major, co-hosted the contest along with Juan Gutierrez, a senior finance major.

Alpha Sigma Omega had been preparing for the event since November, Ascencio said. The sorority held a fundraiser to raise money for the cash prizes that were awarded to the top three comedians.

Three judges were in charge of choosing the winners. The judges included Carrie Anderson, the secretary of the Latino Resource Center; Lisa King, an Alpha Sigma Omega alumna; and Jim Thomas, a doctor from Chicago.

Participant Annie Oelschlager, a senior art history major, was the only female who performed. Oelschlager has been performing comedy since she was young.

“My mom had to cage me,” Oelschlager said. Oelschlager practiced for a month to prepare for Friday’s challenge. Oelschlager walked away with second place and $75 in cash.

The other participants included Chris Fair, a junior communication major, whose sex and drug jokes fell short when presented to the audience. Ricky Rysso, a sophomore communication major, showed off his singing skills in an original song about a monkey and a wolf.

Jake Minol, a sophomore business administration major, covered the topics, including Dance Dance Revolution, masturbation and other various topics and walked away with third place and $50 in cash.

The final participant was Syd Johnson, who went by the nickname “Low Key.”

Johnson won over the crowd with his impressions of Flavor Flav and Prince. He took home first place and $100 in cash.

“Certain parts were entertaining from everyone, but my favorite was Syd,” said Tim Brescia, a junior finance major.

During the intermission, the audience was kept amused as students from the Second City comedy club in Chicago called the “Northside Rift Rats” performed comedy games and took suggestions from the audience.

A Mardi Gras-themed after party was held at Eduardo’s Mexican Restaurant, 214 E. Lincoln Highway, from 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. The party was hosted by Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. and all proceeds were contributed to the Make A Wish Foundation. Alpha Sigma Omega plans to sponsor this event every year.