Entering the Warden Arena in the Alfond Sports Complex last Wednesday night, I was overwhelmed with free T-shirts, loud music, a cheering crowd, and drag queens. The cause of all this commotion? Student Government Association’s (SGA) Lip Sync, an annual competition where various groups and organizations from around campus create a dance routine and lip-sync to some of their favorite songs.
Lip Sync is just one of Rollins’ Homecoming Week’s many activities. According to SGA Vice President Laura Berk ‘12, Lip Sync is arguably the biggest event during Homecoming and it has now become a beloved Rollins tradition.
Even people not involved in the competition enjoy coming out to watch their friends perform some entertaining routines. “It’s great to see the Rollins community come together and put on a show that demonstrates the talent that our college has,” says Blake Ramsey ’13. “It is something that each group has put a lot of time and energy into, which creates a really fun and enthusiastic atmosphere.”
This year’s Lip Sync featured judges Assistant Director of Scheduling and Events Services Brandy Burgess, Professor of Philosophy and Religion Yudit Greenberg, Assistant Professor of Political Science Daniel Chong, Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Religion Creston Davis, and Chairperson of the Economics Department Benjamin Balak.
Miss Sammy and Carol Lee hosted the event, looking lovely in drag. Kappa Kappa Gamma started the competition off with an “Angels and Devils” theme. X-Club followed, starting with some Phantom of the Opera, then transitioning from hip-hop to Slumdog Millionaire’s “Jai Ho.” Alpha Omicron Pi was next with a “Seven Deadly Sins” theme.
Faculty joined the tradition this year, as shown when a mixture of staff, from members of the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership to Dean of Student Affairs Karen Hater, did a routine to the mashup of “Umbrella” and “Singin’ in the Rain” from Glee. The performance put on by members of the Office of Residential Life included Mr. Rogers and “I’m So Hood” references. Non Compis Mentis created its routine around a “youth” theme full of bright colors and impressive acrobatics.
Tau Kappa Epsilon followed and got disqualified for the third year in a row, which is unfortunate because they had a very impressive routine which involved break-dancing and a parody of Tom Cruise’s dancing underwear scene in Risky Business.
Kappa Delta, who won last year’s Best Overall Routine, used a fireman theme this time, and Delta Zeta’s theme was “DZ Dangerous.” Chi Psi’s lip sync referenced the 70s and 80s, complete with afros and a Michael Jackson sequence.
Chi Omega ended the night with an impressive “Dollhouse” theme and was rewarded with the Best Overall Routine award and $250 to their philanthropy of choice. Amanda Cianci ’14, pledge for Chi Omega, was ecstatic about the win: “I had a blast preparing and performing for Lip Sync! I’m thrilled we won — all our hard work really paid off! The event also brought our whole pledge class so much closer together so I’m just happy we got to be a part of such a cool tradition!” she says.
Awards for Best Female, Male and Faculty Performance went to Alpha Omicron Pi, XClub, and Residential Life respectively. All received $100 for their chosen philanthropies.
While the majority of participants were members of fraternities and sororities, Lip Sync is open to all groups and organizations. “Anyone is allowed to do Lip Sync it is no way an FSL [Fraternity and Sorority Life] event and we would love to see other organizations participate in the future,” stresses Berk.
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