This fall, Students Events and Activities (SEA) hosted the comeback of the “Mock Rock” tradition on Saturday, Nov. 12. This year’s event brought many memories, community, and support from JBU students and staff.
Mock Rock gives students the unique opportunity for students to win a cash prize for lip-syncing on stage to their song of choice, either individually or with a group. SEA managed to bring back this wonderful tradition that had been paused for the past two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mock Rock began in 2005 at John Brown University. The event’s results and overall student support pleased SEA. The return of this familiarized many students with this tradition.
In an interview with senior Outdoor Leadership Ministry major and SEA Student Director Josie Donaldson said that performers go through an audition process to be the finalists selected for the competition. Donaldson said it was hard for them to choose their finalists because “It’s hard making choices, but we wanted to have a diversity of acts, and we feel like we got lots of different interests, songs, genres, and performing styles.”
Mock Rock creates a chance for students to express themselves in a festive and unique way. All performers spent significant time rehearsing the lyrics, the choreography, and the music. Sophomore Computer Science major Isaac Bautista performed for the first time in this competition. He says this was a “cool experience” for him. ” I feel happy even though my group did not win, but this experience created a stronger bond among my friends. I would participate again next year!” Bautista says.
Dean of Residence Life, Juan Rodriguez, shares his excitement about the return of this tradition. He expressed how much he “loved this tradition for the performances and the memories each group creates that will last forever in their hearts.” Rodriguez finds particular joy in the community aspect of Mock Rock, saying, “I love how everyone becomes one heart in supporting those who are participating.” He sees this tradition as a way to embrace the University’s community.
Students were thrilled about watching their friends perform. For sophomore International Business major Lila Lemus, the Mock Rock was “something different, and help everyone to get out of their routines.” Lemus expresses her admiration towards the performers since she considers that “everybody did so great and they seem super prepared with their songs. Also, I loved the JBUnicorns group because you don’t see Chippy P [President Chip Pollard] like that every day!”
Now that this event has returned to John Brown University, SEA plans to continue this tradition for the following years.
Photo thanks to Ana Palacios on the Threefold team
