The Student Center Ballroom was filled with entertainment and inclusivity as members of Greek life participated in decade themed lip-sync skits to raise money for children with speech and hearing impairments.

Delta Zeta Lip Sync 2023 was put on by the Gamma Kappa chapter March 5. The money raised went to the Starkey Hearing Foundation, SeriousFun Children’s Network and the American Society for Deaf Children.

During the event, Greek life members educated the audience on speech and hearing facts through entertaining lip-sync skits. The skits were also scored by a group of judges and categorized by fraternity or sorority.

In addition, the event featured a performance from the St. Augustine Signing Choir. The choir is comprised of deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing individuals and has performed at the event since 2009.

Accessibility and inclusivity were featured throughout the event. Two American Sign Language interpreters signed during the event, and Greek life members signed lyrics in their lip-sync skits.

There were 12 sororities and fraternities that participated in the event. The sororities were Sigma Delta Tau, Chi Omega, Phi Mu, Delta Gamma and Alpha Xi Delta. The fraternities were Tau Kappa Epsilon, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Delta Tau Delta, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Sigma and Sigma Chi.

Karsen Damon, co-chair for the event, serves as the Vice President of Philanthropy for Gamma Kappa. Leading up to the event, Damon and Lip Sync co-chair Chloe Crone planned events that educated others about the chapter’s philanthropy.

“Chloe and I held an event where we taught people about deaf culture and sign language,” Damon said. “We also just did a bowling fundraiser called Strikes for Starkey, and we had Hounds for Hearing last semester which will add to our fundraising total.”

Crone also credited Damon and her other sisters’ hard work in planning Lip Sync.

“Karsen has given me so much assistance,” Crone said. “Everyone in our chapter has also helped us in small but big ways to make our lives easier.”

Kaitlyn Ginn serves as the chapter president for Gamma Kappa. Overall, Ginn is proud to see all of the chapter’s hard work come to life.

“I’m so proud of Karsen and Chloe for having everything come together so flawlessly,” Ginn said. “I’m also so proud of our chapter for raising over $50,000.”

Delta Tau Delta brother Zachary Shedlock, sophomore marketing major, lip-synced 80s music with other brothers of his fraternity.

“Our chapter has been practicing twice a week for the last month and a half,” Shedlock said. “It all just came together, and it was such a thrill.”

Shedlock was proud of DTD’s fundraising efforts for Lip Sync, as they were awarded top fundraising fraternity.

“We have gone to all the fundraising events and donated as much as we can,” Shedlock said. “It’s been a great experience fundraising for such a good cause.”

Alpha Xi Delta sister Ani Bruno, sophomore hospitality and event management major, lip-synced hits from Beyoncé with her sorority sisters.

“Our chapter has gone all in for this event,” Bruno said. “Lip Sync raises money for a great cause, and it’s a fun event to bring the Greek community together.”

Along with top fundraising fraternity, DTD was also awarded first place in performance and overall. AXID was awarded first place in performance, Delta Zeta’s choice, top fundraising sorority and overall.

Blake Serrano is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].