This year’s Lip Sync was a huge success. Every grade delivered great performances that showed creativity, teamwork, and school spirit. Lip Sync is a tradition at Carmel Christian School where each grade choreographs dances to songs that match a theme. This year’s theme was decades, ranging from the 1970s to the 2000s. From impressive stunts to emotional tributes, each performance brought something special to the stage.

The freshmen kicked off the event with a fun 1970s-themed performance. Although they had the smallest number of performers, they still made a big impact. Standout moments included a performance of “Kung Fu Fighting” by Carl Douglas featuring Officer Stats, one of the school’s police officers, which brought lots of cheers from the crowd. Their set also included a ninja, an inflatable sumo wrestler, and even a moment where one performer was lifted into the air. One of the most memorable moments was Sabrina Asvestas singing “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor. Despite placing last, the freshmen put forth effort, dedication, and overall proved that an enthusiastic performance matters more than the number of performers.

The sophomores followed with a strong 1990s-themed performance that earned them third place. What made their performance especially memorable was their storyline, which connected each song into a unified plot. One emotional highlight was their use of the song “Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls during a heartwrenching breakup scene, which showed how well they combined storytelling with dance. Many of their dance transitions were great, and several numbers even included flips.

Taking second place, the juniors impressed the crowd with their 1980s theme. Songs like “Thriller” by Michael Jackson were crowd favorites, and their Stranger Things-inspired performance had the audience screaming with excitement. Lucy Grow, one of the leaders of the juniors’performance, stated, “Lip sync impacted me by helping me grow in my relationships with the people in my grade. It was super cool to see people come out of their comfort zone.“ The juniors also included impactful moments such as crowd surfing on stage, and one boy wore fake tattoo sleeves to resemble Drake May, which added humor to their act. Their performance was energetic from start to finish and showed how comfortable they were working together as a group.

In the end, the seniors won Lip Sync with their 2000s-themed performance. It was designed as an award show, which required lots of planning and creativity. Their senior leader, Merritt Livingston, explained how much work went into their performance by saying, “There are a lot of important things that go into Lip Sync. First was picking a theme, which was an award show for the seniors. Then I had to come up with all the songs and the format of the songs, and then also make the track. I also had to do voiceovers for the announcers of the award show.” She also shared that choreography was one of the most time-consuming parts. Merritt stated, “Rose and I worked together to choreograph all of the dances, which takes the most time. After that, we figure out outfits, props, and create posters to bring everything together.”

One of the most talked about moments of the senior’s performance was their use of the song “Gasolina,” which quickly became a fan favorite. However, what truly set them apart was their emotional ending. Wearing caps and gowns, they paid tribute to their upcoming graduation and honored teachers and students who have left over the years. They also included a poster showing the nostalgia of COVID-19 during the sixth grade, reminding everyone of how far they have come together as a class. Their heartfelt finale left a lasting impression on the audience and secured them first place.

Beyond the scoring, Lip Sync was an event filled with emotion, dedication, and excitement. Nearly every grade included flips, creative stunts, and great choreography, and all performers truly lip-synced to their songs. Sophomore Adriell shared how meaningful the experience was saying, “I feel like we’ve all become a little bit more connected and were able to just have fun while putting together our performance.” For many students, Lip Sync is more than just a competition, it is a tradition that brings the school community together. Livingston also stated, “Lip sync is definitely my favorite tradition we have at Carmel. I love getting to do something so fun with a bunch of people in my grade. It definitely brings people closer, and because of lip sync, I’ve gotten to know and hang out with people I don’t usually spend time with. I love how everyone comes together to make it happen.”

Overall, Lip Sync is not just a competition; it is a moment for growth, memories, and building stronger bonds within each grade.