Granola Girls Go Worldwide En Route to Lip Sync Victory

Reported By: Sam Erickson

Photo Courtesy: @georgefoxuniversity on instagram

George Fox University (GFU) hosted its annual Lip Sync competition on November 18, with returning team “Granola Girls” taking first place with a spirited performance.

The Granola Girls opened with a video from Peru, where junior Sam Nofziger, an original member of Granola Girls, is currently studying abroad. The video featured Nofziger doing a dance routine reminiscent of his Granola Girl performance from last year, throwing it back in front of a Peruvian McDonalds. The video was a highlight for senior Tiana Ringer. 

“He was such an important role in our previous performance …it was great to see him recognized and honored in this show while he is studying abroad in Peru,” said Ringer.

After Nofziger's video ended, Ringer walked onto the stage and kicked off a performance of Pitbull’s “Timber.” Ringer, dressed as Ke$ha, was joined by a group of Pitbulls in a coordinated dance spectacle that is a true testament to the group’s preparation.

The winning group began preparing for the competition after last spring's Lip Sync ended. “Issy Hale and Nate Freeman worked on ideas and music throughout the summer before landing on a final cut a month or so before the show,” said Ringer. They practiced with whomever could make it for about a month, but only had one rehearsal with the entire group, which came the Wednesday before the competition.

The performance featured bona fide classics like Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” and references to “Top Gun” with the newly-engaged Teagan Tovsrud and Henry Clancy singing “Great Balls of Fire” together. 

The group celebrated when they won the prize money together. “We are going to go on a team vacation … to Canada!” said Ringer. Whether or not that plan will be funded solely by Lip Sync money is yet to be determined.

The group, like every group that performed, radiated joy as they performed. Just watch the YouTube recording of the Granola Girls' performance and listen to the screams of their friends and classmates whenever a new group walks on. 

The Granola Girls’ victory is another chapter in the campus favorite Lip Sync tradition. Student Activities can certainly count on it as a reliable way to build community here on campus.