More than 70 Sacramento-area middle school students took the stage March 18 to perform in the 8th Annual Club Live Countywide Lip Sync Competition.
The event, which took place at Sacramento's historic downtown Crest Theatre, was presented by the Prevention and Student Services Department of the Sacramento County Office of Education with sponsorship from Coca-Cola. The Lip Sync Competition was started 8 years ago to show students that drug- and alcohol-free celebrations are both meaningful and fun.
Club Live chapters from 16 local middle schools sent teams to compete for prizes including cash and gift certificates. Students performed dance numbers representing a wide spectrum of music: pop, rock 'n' roll, country-western, R&B, and more. Cline Moore served as master of ceremonies while an enthusiastic audience of classmates, teachers, parents and the general public cheered for each act. Every student participating onstage received a Club Live t-shirt and prizes were awarded in numerous categories.
The judging panel included: David W. Gordon, County Superintendent of Schools; Toni Moore, Administrator of the Sacramento County Drug and Alcohol Division; Dr. Jim Kooler, Administrator of the California Friday Night Live Partnership; Keith Bennett, event co-sponsor from Coca-Cola Bottling Company; Raymond Cadei, Sacramento Superior Court judge; Cortez Quinn, chief of staff for County Supervisor Roger Dickinson; Ted Wolter, chief of staff for County Supervisor Roberta McGlashan; Chris K, on-air personality and music director of radio station 107.9 The End; and MaryLynn Hingano, member of the Friday Night Live County Youth Council. A surprise lip sync performance by the judges delighted the crowd.
Providing prizes and other support for the Club Live Countywide Lip Sync Competition were: Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Sacramento River Cats, The Screen Machine, 107.9 The End, Capitol City Chevrolet, Six Flags Marine World, Overnight Productions, ADD Computing Power, California Friday Night Live Partnership, Cheryl Raney and George Roth, Commerce Finance, Creekside Counseling of Elk Grove, Dr. David P. Meaney, Getta Clue Clothing Store, William Orrock Memorial, Heritage Community Credit Union of Elk Grove, Metro Painting, Michael Chisolm Memorial, Moving On Up Real Estate, MWH Americans, Salon 360+, the Crest Theatre, and Michael Leotaud, LCSW. Additional assistance was provided by members of the Friday Night Live County Youth Council, staff of the Sacramento County Office of Education, and dozens of community volunteers. The Del Campo High School Overnight Productions video production class assisted with photography and videotaping.
Participants in the 8th Annual Club Live Countywide Lip Sync Competition included:
- Center Junior High School (Center Unified School District) AWARD: PURE ENTERTAINMENT VALUE
- Don Julio Junior High School (Grant Joint Union High School District) AWARD: CHOREOGRAPHY
- Harriet Eddy Middle School (Elk Grove Unified School District) AWARD: INSPIRATIONAL (TIE)
- Edward Harris Middle School (Elk Grove Unified School District AWARD: GROUP SYNCHRONIZATION
- James Rutter Middle School (Elk Grove Unified School District) AWARD: STAGE PRESENCE
- Joseph Kerr Middle School (Elk Grove Unified School District) AWARD: FIRST PLACE OVERALL
- Leonardo daVinci School (Sacramento City Unified School District) AWARD: MOST SPIRITED
- Martin Luther King, Jr., Junior High School (Grant Joint Union High School District) AWARD: MOST FUN
- Natomas Middle School (Natomas Unified School District) AWARD: SECOND PLACE OVERALL
- Norwood Junior High School (Grant Joint Union High School District) AWARD: LIP SYNC ACCURACY
- Robert L. McCaffrey Middle School (Galt Joint Union School District) AWARD: CREATIVITY
- Samuel Jackman Middle School (Elk Grove Unified School District) AWARD: INSPIRATIONAL (TIE)
- Toby Johnson Middle School (Elk Grove Unified) AWARD: THIRD PLACE OVERALL
- T. R. Smedberg Middle School (Elk Grove Unified School District) AWARD: EXPRESSION / EMOTION / SOUL
- Vernon Greer Middle School (Galt Joint Union School District) AWARD: COSTUMES / PROPS
- Will Rogers Middle School (San Juan Unified School District) AWARD: ORIGINALITY
Club Live, a youth development program operated by the Sacramento County Office of Education, provides opportunities for young people to build leadership skills, establish positive peer and adult relationships, and become involved as active leaders and resources in their schools and communities. The Countywide Lip Sync Competition is just one of many Club Live activities that include community service projects, trips to amusement parks and sporting events, rallies, and leadership conferences. The Club Live program is active at 35 middle school campuses in Sacramento County. Friday Night Live chapters at 30 Sacramento County campuses offer leadership and growth activities for high school students. Information about the Club Live and Friday Night Live is available by calling (916) 228-2418.