One of the big traditions of Homecoming week is the Lip Dub competition. This year, each grade picked a musical and turned the school into their own stage, bringing a ton of energy and spirit.
The Freshmen (Class of 2029) started things off with Hamilton. Patrick Best stepped into the role of Alexander Hamilton, and the class brought history to life with rap, choreography, and lots of enthusiasm. Patrick said afterward, “We weren’t too worried about the rumors going around — we knew we were the true winners of our performance.”
The sophomores (Class of 2028) kept the hype going with Rio. Their colorful feathers, bright costumes, and upbeat tropical vibe really stood out, and classmates said it was one of their most spirited projects yet.
But the big winners were the Juniors (Class of 2027). They went all out with Teen Beach Movie, rocking surfboards, beach outfits, and a mix of retro and modern dance moves. One of the highlights came when Maden Brady danced to Cruisin’ for a Bruisin’. Peyton Best explained, “Maden kind of knew the moves, but really he was the only person who fit in the jacket, so he had to do it. Once we had a plan, it all came together.”
The junior production was divided into four song groups, including Falling for You (with Lauren Mercer and Danielle), Surf Crazy (with Danielle), and Cruisin’ for a Bruisin’ (with Peyton and Maden). Lauren shared, “Tons of credit to Oliver [Betzer]. He worked on a time crunch and pulled it all together.” Danielle added, “It was all student-led. No teachers. We kind of did our own thing.”
Even though the planning wasn’t perfect, the group adapted. Danielle reflected, “We picked out four groups, but then most people didn’t follow the groups, so we had to deal with what we had. They didn’t follow instructions super well, but they did dress up well.”
The juniors’ teamwork — from Peyton and Lauren’s organizing to Oliver’s editing — paid off. Peyton even sent a message to the teachers who voted: “You made the right choice.” He promised, “We will be back next year.” Lauren and Danielle added a final note of gratitude: “Thank you.”
The Seniors (Class of 2026) wrapped it all up with Grease. Their 1950s looks — leather jackets, poodle skirts, and “Greased Lightning” swagger — made for a strong finish. Cheyenne Ossenmacher also put together a smooth edit for their video, showing off the seniors’ effort to end the show with style. One senior summed it up: “We wanted to leave our mark. Even though we didn’t win, it felt like the perfect way to close out our last Homecoming.”
Even though the juniors walked away with the win, the Lip Dub was more than just a contest. Every grade brought their best ideas and spirit, and the whole school came together to make it happen. That’s what made this year’s Lip Dub one of the best parts of Homecoming week.
