Philanthropy takes center stage at Pi Beta Phi's Lip Sync for Literacy

Members of sororities, fraternities and dance groups commanded the stage in Tyler Haynes Commons while performing to hits through the decades at Pi Beta Phi’s Lip Sync for Literacy.

Pi Beta Phi hosted its annual Lip Sync to raise money for “Read, Lead, Achieve,” its international philanthropy. The foundation was created by Pi Beta Phi over 100 years ago to promote literacy in America.

The chairs quickly filled up in the Alice Haynes room and the crowd was energetic. Students screamed and cheered as they watched their friends perform on the stage.

Pledge class members of Pi Beta Phi opened the show, dancing and singing to songs both old and new. Kappa Kappa Gamma’s performance began with a re-enactment of a scene from Napoleon Dynamite, and Sigma Phi Epsilon ended with a re-enactment of a scene from the Titanic.

“I loved doing Lip Sync because both the practices and the performances brought us closer together,” Amanda Brady, a member of Kappa Alpha Theta, said. “It was a great way to get to know each other and be ourselves with our sisters.”

Some groups had a theme for their performance. Members of Lambda Chi represented the heroes and villains from childhood favorites like The Little Mermaid, Spongebob Squarepants and The Grinch. Members of Delta Delta Delta wore metallic leggings and performed to songs from different decades.

“It was so fun to bond with my pledge class and we definitely got a lot closer while supporting such a great cause,” Madeline Ward, a member of Delta Delta Delta, said.

After D-Squad’s closing performance, a winner was announced. Delta Gamma took home the gold trophy.

“It is such a fun event and I loved seeing some of my friends perform,” freshman Lauren Ilsley said. “It is such a great way to raise money for an important cause.”

About 335 tickets were sold and the event raised $4,000 for the cause.

“This was an especially special year because it is Pi Phi’s 150^th anniversary,” Julia Rivara, president of Pi Beta Phi, said. “It’s wonderful to see not only Pi Phi, but the whole Greek community come together and really get behind the cause.”

The sorority also held a book drive to which students donated over 560 books. The books will be delivered to Overby-Sheppard Elementary School, a local elementary school that members of Pi Beta Phi volunteer at throughout the year.

“This was our first year with the book drive,” Rivara said. “Collecting over 500 books in the first year shows that people really do care about the cause, which is amazing.”

Contact reporter Kim Smith at kim.smith@richmond.edu