By KIMBERLY CHEN, sophomore

THE CRISP AUTUMN Saturday was a perfect day for JP Stevens to play host to a community-wide event. Held on October 13, JP Day was a fundraising event that took place throughout the school campus, where families and friends could participate in fun activities that not only showcased school spirit but club activities as well.

Following last year’s tremendous success that helped raise enough money for the school’s new electronic front lawn sign, JP’s goal this year is to install a new projection and sound system in the Old Gym to enhance the physical education experience of our students. As an incentive, attendees ho donated at least twenty dollars to the fundraiser were entered in a raffle for an iPad 2 and an iPod touch.

Over the course of the afternoon, little kids and high school students alike trampled through an inflated obstacle course competition, painted pumpkins offered by the Creepy Hollow Company, and munched on free popcorn provided by the PTSO. The DJ Club provided bass-pumping remixes of popular songs to add to the atmosphere filled with energy and excitement. Members of The  Hawkeye provided Halloween tattoos while Key Club dabbled with henna. Additionally, the interior of  the building, which was open to parents and students, had various activities offered by different clubs. The Courtyard Club offered plant potting, the Fencing Club featured mock duels, and the WarHawks included “Robo soccer” matches with miniature remote control robots. Stationed next to the popcorn stand in front of the cafeteria, a karaoke machine set up by the JP Choir attracted people walking by. Participants selected songs such as “A Whole New World” and “YMCA,” and belted out heartfelt melodies for the surrounding crowds. The Honor Societies also joined in JP Day and offered a number of booths: the National Honor Society held a Bingo competition, the Hindi Honor Society allowed students to create colorful explosions of spin art, and the French Honor Society provided differently shaped beads and string for jewelry making.

Throughout the day, there were several musical and cultural performances to entertain those who attended the event. First, the String Ensemble from the JP Orchestra performed an upbeat combination of popular Beatles songs, titled “Beatles Forever.” Afterward, the HarMENizers a cappella group performed two numbers, “Good Old A Cappella” and “Be True to Your School.” Outside, the Chinese Culture Club performed the Lion Dance to the beat of the traditional Chinese drum, “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO, and “Gangnam Style” by South Korean pop star PSY.

With JP Day winding down, Ms. Pawlikowski announced that it was time for the Battle of the Classes Lip-Syncing Contest. The freshman class began with five representatives lip-syncing “Sexy and I Know It” by LMFAO, dressed like the actors in the music video. They ended the song by dancing the “Gangnam Style” dance as the audience cheered with delight. The sophomore class went next and performed a mash-up of popular songs, including “ Too Close” by Alex Clare, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” by Taylor Swift, and “Pound the Alarm” by Nicki Minaj.

Afterward, the junior class’ representatives danced to the song “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls. Last, but not least, was the senior class, who decided that rock was what defined it the most. The performers combined songs such as the Wanted’s “Glad You Came” and the Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way” with classics such as Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl.” The senior class’ complex and creative performance ultimately won the competition and audience members exploded into cheers as the seniors were awarded 200 points.

As the audience prepared to view a short clip on the projector, Ms. Pawlikowski, Mr. Harris, Dr. Shallop, and Ms. Quick delivered a surprise performance, dancing and lipsyncing to the contagious beat of “Soul Man” by the Blues Brothers. The administrators were accompanied by the large projector screen which played a video of teachers and staff dancing to the music in segments.
After the jazz song ended, it was clear that the administration elicited the loudest vocal
responses from the audience.

Once the audience settled down, Ms. Pawlikowski went to the podium and thanked the students and community: “It was great to see how the community came
together as a whole with the help and efforts of the numerous student volunteers.” Indeed, the event was a success. “JP Day was a fun and exciting experience which also benefited our school. It is always nice to see how much the community can bond over one event. I’m already looking forward to the next JP Day!” exclaimed sophomore Heidy Shi.