Cal High’s annual Lip Sync has done it again, pitting all four grade levels against each other in a thrilling competition for the most captivating performance.
Each year leadership hosts Lip Sync and the audience cheers on talented performances from each grade level. At the end of the competition, slected teachers score each grade based on what they saw.
This year’s winners of the March 8 competition was the seniors, followed by juniors, sophomores, and freshmen.
But what really goes into creating this theatrical performance?
Two months prior to Lip Sync, leadership students put together informational meetings for those eager to join their grade level in multiple dance routines. From then on, grade-level teams practice for weeks outside of school and incorporate costume changes, props and themes into their routines.
Freshman Lana Vu, who is the Class of 2027 vice president, helped plan and choreograph her class’s dances and believes the best part is the finished project.
“The best thing about Lip Sync is show day,” Vu said. “I love seeing what the other classes have prepared, and performing it is of course super fun.”
Freshman class treasurer Makayla Nenonene, who worked with Vu, loves to work with a crowd and create more campus engagement.
“[Lip Sync] is a great way to involve everyone, meet new people in your grade, and it’s not just limited to Cal, anyone can come,” Nenonene said. “The performance in the end is truly amazing.”
Senior Krystal Miks was one of the choreographers who helped put together the winning routines for the seniors. She said while it is difficult getting the hang of certain routines, choreography is enjoyable for everyone involved.
“It’s a fun process because [the performers] are not dancers and I’m used to teaching dancers,” Miks said. “When I do teach them, it makes me think of a different way to teach.”
Miks said Lip Sync was her favorite memory from her junior year because of all the friends she made.
“I love when you also get to meet all these new people that I would normally never talk to,” Miks said. “It was really cool making new friends.”
Senior Caroline Kontaxis helped Miks create the seniors’ winning choreography.
Not only has Kontaxis performed in Lip Sync in previous years, but she and Miks are also members of the varsity song team. Kontaxis said the song team has given both of them previous experience performing and choreographing dances.
Cal’s ASB officers selected the songs the seniors lip synced, while the choreographers created simple routines that everyone was able to perform.
“The most exciting part [about Lip Sync] is when we finish teaching the routine and everything starts to come together,” Kontaxis said. “Everyone’s shared excitement really brings us closer and gets everyone amped for the performance.”
This year, the seniors chose money as their theme, while the juniors chose a revenge tour after their defeat last year. The sophomores’ theme was adjectives and the freshmen’s theme was danger.
“We’ve been practicing like three days a week basically,” junior Jade Owens said before the competition. “And we’ve had lots of dress rehearsals. We’ve also been practicing in class too when we have time.”
The weeks of practicing leading up to Lip Sync only increased the pressure to win when the day finally came. Backstage, students paced around to find their next outfit during swift costume changes while trying to be back on stage within a few seconds.
“The most challenging part [of Lip Sync] has to be the costume changes,” sophomore Seanna McGowan said. “Most of the time we only had six seconds to change and get back on stage.”
To prepare for the show, McGowan ran through dances with her class, practiced costume changes, and perfected performers’ positioning.
Not only were the competitors in a hurry, but the tech team controlling the lights, music, and dynamics of the show were rushing behind the scene. Different color lightings and spotlights were displayed for themes and songs, including multiple ones by Elvis Presley and Bruno Mars.
After months of hard work, Lip Sync’s performances from each class evoked class chants and spirit from the crowd.
“It doesn’t matter who wins and loses. It was just a fun experience,” Owens said.
