This year, Augustana celebrated its 104th Homecoming week, hosted by the Office of Student Life. After a week of Homecoming events, including the annual regatta slough race, talent show and rope pull, the 2024 Homecoming competitions ended Friday, Oct. 4, with the SING performance as a finale.
After the student Homecoming court was introduced and crowned, Greek groups made their way out onto the Centennial stage. Nine fraternities and sororities competed, each in their own coordinating attire, performing dance numbers and a capella songs rewritten to show Augustana and Greek life pride.
With the competition beginning early into the semester, groups have been planning and rehearsing since the beginning of the academic year. Sophomore and Rho Nu Delta Fraternity Homecoming Chair Pedram Kubota said that for busy students, taking the time for Greek members to come together in planning and practicing makes the event more meaningful.
“We are college students, not all of us like singing and dancing on stage, but I do it,” Kubota said. “I feel like [the fraternity members] all care about our fraternity and homecoming.”
After a month of rehearsal and planning, the community is able to watch everyone’s work on display, from handmade props and costumes to chanting and cheer stunts.
The night ended with the Delta Omega Nu Fraternity taking first place, and the Phi Rho Sorority and Chi Alpha Pi Sorority taking second and third place.
Junior and Delta Omega Nu Fraternity SING Chair Kaden Micklos has held the SING position for his fraternity for two years. After taking second place in the competition last year, Micklos said that continuing the focus on fun choreography played a key role in this year’s showcase.
“This year I kind of went into it with the headspace [that] we can’t embarrass ourselves, it’s only embarrassing if you act embarrassed,” Micklos said. ”…We’re going to have fun and we’re going to laugh at it. And I think that’s the most important thing about the whole process of any performance, is just having fun.”
The winning number showcased members in black dress pants and ties, singing Bruno Mars parodies. The performers sauntered across stage, and ended in a synchronized death drop.
“It was fun to hear people say how excited they were for our performance this year, since we did really good last year,” Micklos said. “And our new pledge class, they were just really excited to be a part of something that the group last year was excited for.”
Despite SING being scored as part of the Homecoming competition, the auditorium filled with cheers and chanting, as groups held up signs and hand gestures to represent their fellow Greek groups.
Sophomore and Sigma Pi Delta Sorority SING Chair Grace Evers said that SING is not only about performing with her own group, but also being able to watch all of the work from the others.
“I feel like people really view this as a hardcore competition, people get really competitive about it,” Evers said. “I think it’s just a good way for all the Greek groups to come together.”
