Lip syncing is defined as mimicking singing at the same time along with recorded music. The Pep Club brought such a spectacle to FHS in a way which the school had never seen. On May 24, students and teachers alike took to the stage to perform the FHS’ first ever lip sync battle.

During the month leading up to the event, the Pep Club recruited students to sign up to perform. Both students and teachers formed teams and created dance routines. The individuals involved held practices both in and out of school, mixed soundtracks and set up speakers. Finally, the school went on a two-hour delay schedule and at the end of the day, all students filed into the auditorium.

The groups performing included the teacher act, and the 2000s act, both which featured a mix of songs. Also present was the Spice Girls act, “Tricky” by Run-DMC, “Fergalicious” by Fergie, “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys, “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King from the movie “The Lion King,” “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen and “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen.

Of course, there would be no battle in “lip sync battle” if there weren’t any awards. The teachers won best lip syncing act, senior Joseph Smith of the 2000s group won Best Comedic Act, sophomore Brooke Matoic won Best Throwback Act with her “Bohemian Rhapsody” performance, freshmen Ethan Mulroy, Kenneth Swab, Colin Walton and Chad Rygel of the Backstreet Boys Act won Best Boy, English teacher Catherine Schultz won Best Girl and the award for Best Overall act went to Tricky.

“I heard about this and I said ‘Ooh, I want to get a group together, and we can be the Spice Girls,’” sophomore and Spice Girls act member Angel Clinkscales said. “So I called up Alexis and I said ‘We gotta get a group together and do the lip sync battle.’”

“We wanted a fun and upbeat song that we could have a lot of fun with,” said freshman Hailee Mahoney, member of the award winning team “Tricky.”

The size of the performances varied greatly. The largest group was the teachers, which was composed of more than 10 members, all wearing matching t-shirts. Performances were also small-scale. “Bohemian Rhapsody” was presented by only Brooke Matoic and Alex Grant.

Some groups also got creative with costumes. The Lion King members were all dressed as animals, while others like “Tricky” went for a more slick look with all black outfits and shades.

The contestants ensured there was no shortage of dance moves to go around. Groups like the Spice Girls act, “Call Me Maybe” and the 2000s act brought the heat. On the other hand, teams like the “Bohemian Rhapsody” duo opted for more of a skit. In any case, the show was unpredictable, keeping the crowds on the edge of their seat.

English teacher and Pep Club sponsor Heather Giammaria has confirmed that she plans to hold another lip sync battle next year.