Sorority Gamma Phi Beta celebrated vicotry on Friday, Feb. 15 at the Green Music Center when they won this year’s production of Lip Jam 2019 at the Grammy’s. Although the competition was tough between all sororities and fraternities on campus, the Greek life community came together to raise money for Alpha Gamma Delta’s philanthropy, Fighting Hunger.
“I love how much our philanthropy gives back, being a top contributing chapter to the foundation shows that what we do is really helping others,” said Lip Jam Coordinator Courtney Bagg.
Lip Jam is hosted by the sorority Alpha Gamma Delta. The participants of the competition are other chapters on campus competing in a lip syncing competition. This year’s theme was the Grammy’s, where each participant picked an artist to portray in their performance. Many chapters look forward to the event all year long.
COURTESY // Gamma Phi Beta
(From left to right): Gamma Phi Beta members Alyia Chroman, Blaine Kahn, Melanie Luster and Olivia Becker.
COURTESY // Gamma Phi Beta
Overall winners Gamma Phi Beta performing their finale.
STAR // Ethan Prins
Phi Sigma Sigma dances to Rhianna during their performance.
“We’ve been doing this for so many years that all organizations look forward to it.” said Bagg. “After building it for so long, I think that’s what makes us so successful. People just wanna see it and participate because its a fun time”.
Alpha Gamma Delta raised money for Fighting Hunger from penny war competitions with the incentive that whichever group wins penny wars gets to pick their artist first.
Alpha Gamma Delta also sold tickets for the show. This year the sorority sold enough tickets to sell out the Green Music Center, with each ticket going between $25-$35.
Each chapter performed to the music of a Grammy award winning artist. Some of the performances included Alpha Gamma Delta’s new members performing Usher while Alpha Xi Delta performed Britney Spears, with one of their members, Taylor Dion, dancing on stage with a toy Boa Constrictor imitating Spears’ iconic VMA performance.
The competition was judged by Connor Cimmiyotti, Mercedes Hernandez, Sonoma State Greek life advisor Leo Serrato and Ryan-Jenson Henne.
Gamma Phi Beta won awards for “People’s Choice”, “Group 50 and Over”, also known as “first place overall”, for their Michael Jackson performance, while the award for “Most Creative” went to the Blue Baronz for their production of The Weeknd.
“Best Portrayal of the Artist” went to Alpha Delta Pi for their Beyonce lip syncing, “Group 50 and Under” went to Alpha Epsilon Pi for their Bruno Mars piece and the award for “Mr. and Mrs. Lip Jam” went to Alec Pizzavento and Paige Baltimore.
The Gamma Phi Beta’s winning performance of their dance to Michael Jackson was choreographed by Gamma Phi Beta Lip Jam Coordinator Haley Mattos and her assistant, Paige Baltimore.
With only three short weeks, Mattos and Baltimore were able to teach and perfect their performance.
Mattos has been dancing since she was three and is now employed as a dance teacher. Her skills and commitment were put on display in her group’s success Friday night.
Though the awards earned that night are nice, spending time with her fellow Greek life members was reward enough.
“Getting to spend a great amount of time with my sisters [was the best part] because it allowed us to create stronger bonds and thoroughly enjoy ourselves throughout the process. It was amazing to see my vision come to a reality on stage.” said Mattos.
