Area middle school students delivered an evening of pure entertainment March 24 at the annual Sacramento County Club Live Lip Sync Competition, held at downtown Sacramento's historic Crest Theatre.
The 12th Annual Club Live Lip Sync Competition, presented by the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE), featured the best lip sync acts from 13 middle schools in Sacramento County. SCOE's Prevention and Student Services Department coordinated the event, which was enjoyed by an audience of close to 400.
SCOE's Prevention and Student Services Department presented the event to showcase the talents of Club Live members at school campuses throughout the county. The event continued a tradition started more than decade ago, when the first Lip Sync Competition was staged to show middle school students that drug- and alcohol-free celebrations are meaningful and fun.
Master of ceremonies Cline Moore introduced each group of performers, whose colorful costumes, props, "singing" and dancing delighted the audience. Student contestants each received a Club Live t-shirt for participating. Winners received cash and merchandise prizes donated by local businesses and individuals.
Winning prizes in the competition were:
- First Place: T.R. Smedberg Middle School (Elk Grove Unified School District)
- Second Place: Mills Middle School (Folsom Cordova USD)
- Third Place: Sutter Middle School (Folsom Cordova USD)
- Creativity: Katherine L. Albiani Middle School (Elk Grove USD)
- Originality: Edward Harris Middle School (Elk Grove USD)
- Courageous: Lichen Elementary School (San Juan USD)
- Choreography/Group Synchronization: Natomas Middle School (Natomas USD)
- Stage Presence: Elizabeth Pinkerton Middle School (Elk Grove USD)
- Inspirational: Arcohe School (Arcohe SD)
- Spirited/ Energy: Martin Luther King, Jr. Technology Academy (Twin Rivers USD)
- Pure Entertainment Value: W.E. Mitchell Middle School (Folsom Cordova USD)
- Expression/Emotion/Soul: James Rutter Middle School (Elk Grove USD)
- Enthusiasm: Winston Churchill Middle School (San Juan USD)
Serving as judges were:
- Keith Bennett, Coca-Cola Bottling Company
- Natalie Bomke, KTXL Fox 40
- Helena Hurst, Personnel Commissioner, Sacramento County Office of Education
- Kelly Jackson, KXTV Channel 10
- Jim Kooler, Administrator, California Friday Night Live Partnership
- Jeron Lawson, Friday Night Live Youth Council
- Cortez Quinn, Chief of Staff for County Supervisor Roger Dickinson
Providing performance prizes were:
- Coca-Cola Bottling Company
- CNC Investments
- Belle Ame Sisters
- Creekside Counseling Associates—Elk Grove
- Gregory and Nyla Daggett
- Vickie Good
- Grant High School Friday Night Live
- Northern Artists Films
- Betty and Dave Power
- Pamela Robinson
- Jesse Seivane
- William Orrock Memorial
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. Videography was provided by Vista del Lago High School students.
Sacramento County's Club Live program operates on middle school campuses throughout the area, providing opportunities for young people to develop leadership skills, build positive peer and adult relationships, and become involved as active leaders and resources in their school and community. Hundreds of middle school students in Sacramento County participate in exciting and beneficial Club Live activities. For more details about the Club Live program, call (916) 228-2418.