Sororities and fraternities gathered in the Student Center Ballroom Saturday to perform routines to songs for charity. Delta Zeta hosted Lip Sync, the sorority’s annual philanthropy event to benefit the Delta Zeta foundation, which contributes to the Starkey Hearing Foundation, Gaullaudet University, the House Research Institute and Painted Turtle Camp.

The event raised $40,205.03, including fundraising, donations, T-shirt sales, DVD sales and raffle tickets.

Students of the Greek community wore their Greek letters and costumes, and Delta Zeta members wore black dresses, filling the Ballroom by 5:30 p.m. Some carried props, while others chatted and took pictures before the event began.

A DJ played music while students arrived as a slideshow of Delta Zeta photos were displayed on a large screen. Just before the event started, the DJ played “Trouble” by Taylor Swift to get the crowd excited. Greek members pumped their fists and began shouting cheers while the rest of the audience found seats.

Anna Schonblom, philanthropy internal chair of Delta Zeta and senior marketing major, and Kristen Durkin, president of Delta Zeta and junior communications studies major, started off the evening by welcoming everyone to Lip Sync 2013.

The judges included:

• Renee Rawlings, Kent State University alumna

• Pam Asher, Kent State University alumna and national director of Delta Zeta

• Patti Marcum, administrative clerk of Student Accessibility Services, who works with hearing and speech impaired children

• Whitney Grimes, Delta Zeta alumna and 2010 philanthropy internal chair

• Autumn Layman, 2012 Delta Zeta philanthropy internal chair

Each Greek chapter performed themed song and dance numbers that included facts about Delta Zeta.

“The judges will be scoring on lip syncing abilities, choreography, Delta Zeta incorporation, creativity, overall entertainment, audience response and sign language incorporation,” Schonblom said. “Thank you judges for attending this evening.”

The sisters of Delta Zeta then filed row by row onto the stage, stood in lines holding hands and signed the Delta Zeta Creed. The St. Augustine Signing Choir from Cleveland performed first. The audience gave them a standing ovation and used the sign language for clapping to applaud.

“I really think that Lip Sync shows a positive aspect of our Kent [State] Greek community as a whole,” said Amanda Oswald, promotions chair of Delta Zeta and sophomore fashion merchandising major. “We are all working together to support a greater cause.”

The Starkey Hearing Foundation works to provide assistance to underprivileged hearing impaired children. Gallaudet University is a world leader in liberal education career development for students who are hearing and speech impaired. The House Research Institute is dedicated to the advancement of hearing science through research and education to improve the quality of life for the hearing and speech impaired. Painted Turtle Camp provides a year-round life-changing environment for terminally ill children and their parents.

Alpha Tau Omega won first place for fundraising, performance, and overall for fraternities, while Delta Gamma won first place for fundraising, performance, and overall for sororities.

“I would personally like to say, ‘Thank you’ to all my sisters,” Shonblom said. “You’re all incredible and this event wouldn’t have been possible without you. And finally, I would like to thank everyone in the audience for making tonight the most successful Lip Sync ever.”

Contact Mackenzie Wallace at [email protected].