The sorority Gamma Phi Beta took first place in Homecoming this year.
The women of Gamma Phi Beta celebrated their victory Saturday in Abe Lemons Arena in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center after taking first place in Lip Sync, first place in structure, Kid’s Choice Award in structure, second place in banner, and first place in the sweepstakes award.
The 2019 Homecoming theme was “Adventure Awaits.”
Gamma Phi Beta’s theme was “Alice in Wonderland,” and their Lip Sync performance follows the titular “Alice” as the “White Rabbit” introduces her to the OCU campus.
Greek organizations Alpha Chi Omega, Gamma Phi Beta, Phi Mu, and Lambda Chi Alpha participated in all Homecoming competitions. Miracle Marathon and Black Student Association participated in Lip Sync, Banner, and Homecoming Royalty, and the Wesley Center and FEM participated in banner. United States Institute for Theatre Technology, POM, and Spirit of Grace Liturgical Dance also participated in Homecoming Royalty.
Awards for the various competions were given as follows:
Banner: third place, Phi Mu, second place, Gamma Phi Beta, first place, Black Student Association
Structure: third place, Phi Mu, second place, Alpha Chi Omega, first place, Gamma Phi Beta
Lip Sync: third place, BSA, second place, Phi Mu, first place, Gamma Phi Beta
The Kid’s Choice Award was voted on by children from the Children’s Miracle Marathon Network who were in attendance.
Phi Mu received the Kid’s Choice Award for the banner competition, Alpha Chi Omega received the award for Lip Sync and Gamma Phi Beta won for their structure.
Alpha Chi Omega was awarded the Spirit award for the eighth consecutive year. They were also awarded the Service award.
Evan Rolls, Gamma Phi Beta panhellenic affairs vice president and psychology junior, said she and the rest of the members of Gamma Phi Beta put lot of work into Homecoming.
“We spent a lot of time and put a lot of effort into Homecoming this year; it was really important to us,” Rolls said. “I feel, well, relieved and tired, but mostly good and really excited about winning.”
Rolls said Gamma Phi Beta’s victory shows the sorority’s commitment to Homecoming and OCU.
“We are super dedicated and we really do care a lot about the OCU community,” she said. “We thought that it was important to show how thrilled we were to be involved here. Our sisterhood is really important, and that’s what we focused a lot on.”
Sarah Lubaroff, dance senior, choreographed Gamma Phi Beta’s Lip Sync performance and said Homecoming is one of her favorite things to participate in for Greek Life.
“Homecoming’s been a big part of my participation in the organization,” she said. “So to have such a big hand in our Homecoming this year and to have it turn out so well was a really awesome feeling.”
The titles of Homecoming king and queen were awarded to Anthony Giandiletti Jr., dance senior, representing the Spirit of Grace Liturgical Dance Company, and Emily Pereira, dance senior, representing Phi Mu.
Giandiletti said he was completely stunned when they called his name.
“When I won, I was actually a little shocked, and I’m kind of an awkward person,” he said. “So when I won, I was like ‘I don’t really know what to do or how to react;’ so the video of me that my girlfriend took is kind of awkward.”
Giandiletti said he was more excited when he heard Pereira won Homecoming queen.
“She puts in so much time and dedication to her sorority, and she is such a good leader.” he said. “For me, it was cool to share that with her, and anyone who watched was like, ‘you got more excited when Emily won than when you did.’”
Pereira said she was thrilled when she heard her name called.
“It was exhilarating, exciting; I felt proud and happy,” she said.
Lubaroff said the service aspects of Homecoming made the experience feel that much better
“I just think it was a really great year. I think we all had a lot of great spirit,” Lubaroff said. “There was a great addition of service into Homecoming this year, and I think that was an awesome thing to show that OCU, as a whole, can give back to our community.”
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