Sonoma State students lip synch for charity

Nearly 1,300 people turned out Saturday at Sonoma State University’s Green Music Center for the school’s 23rd annual lip-sync and dance contest to raise money for diabetes education.

Lip Jam, organized by members of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, featured choreographed routines from 11 Greek organizations competing for top honors.

Playing American-travel-themed music, they danced and twirled on stage while pretending to belt out classics like “Come Fly with Me.”

“It’s cool because everyone gets involved,” said senior Hannah Stuyt, an Alpha Gamma Delta member from Escalon. “And it’s for an amazing cause, which is the whole point.”

The event drew a packed audience of enthusiastic parents and friends, who cheered for their favorites.

“I’m so excited about it,” said Rohnert Park resident Stacy Kline, who came to see the performance of her daughter, senior Marina Tallchief.

Lip Jam coordinator Erica Pecho said the goal was to raise $40,000.

Many groups rehearsed for weeks leading up to the show.

“It’s a lot of pressure,” said Alpha Gamma senior Kristen Ridgers of San Ramon who served as one of three announcers.

Members of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority hit the stage first, performing a “Cars”-themed number about the state of Arizona in which they lip-synched “Route 66.”

Jordan Duke, a senior criminal justice major from Upland, led the 30 or some women who swayed and synced and earned thunderous applause.

“It felt awesome,” Duke said backstage as she tried to catch her breath after the performance. “I thought we killed.”

In the end, members of the Gamma Phi Beta chapter were named sorority champions and Alpha Psi took top fraternity honors. The people’s choice award went to Alpha Omicron Pi.

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 568-5312 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @ppayne.