At Spring Fling, portraits were taken and awards were given, but like other ceremonies this year, a Michael Jackson tribute stole the show.
Surprise Jackson tribute
Spring Fling’s long-teased surprise guest was revealed as Matt Macis, a 21-year-old entertainer known for his impersonations of Jerry Lewis and Michael Jackson. Macis performed several songs as Jackson for the crowd, including “The Way You Make Me Feel,” “Billie Jean” and “Thriller.”
“When you come out as an impersonator, especially with a diverse crowd like here, it’s kinda like everyone does have their own opinion,” Macis said. “They think, ‘oh, an impersonator, that’s stupid, that was the special guest?’ I’m sure that’s what some people thought…Other people were probably like, ‘wow, that’s pretty cool,’ or those who were non-believers became interested once everybody else got into it.”
Joining Macis on stage were Rowdy Tartan Cheerleaders LeRae Anthony, Vanae Pate and Keisha Brown, who performed as backup dancers. For the final song, the cheerleaders went into the audience to encourage people to get up and dance.
“I think it was great,” Pate said. “We love Michael.”
Fashion Show
The Tartan Bookstore Fashion Show was well-received by the Spring Fling crowd. Student models showed off clothing and accessories available for purchase including culinary and nursing attire, backpacks, computers and spring clothes for men, women and children.
Several audience members lined the entrance to the stage area for a front-row seat on the catwalk that went from the stage to the steps. Each model was cheered and photographed by the crowd.
Awards
Emceeing both the fashion show and the award ceremony was local live talk show host Jody Coleman, a Sinclair Community College alumnus. Coleman used humor at various points to address both the absence of some winners and his trouble pronouncing some names.
Several departments and student clubs received Oscar-style statuettes, including the Campus Police, Aramark, Business Services, the Clarion, the Choral Music Association, M.E.L.O. and Student Leadership Development.
Awards were also given to student-voted favorites such as Derek Petrey for favorite professor, the Library for favorite place to hang out, “Little Shop of Horrors” for favorite Theatre production and Joseph Stueve for favorite columnist.
Students react
Health Information Management student Andy Parker said she enjoyed Spring Fling. She took pictures in the photo booth near the gym and enjoyed the activities and prizes at the several tables set up in the lower level. Her favorite moment was when students were dancing in the stage area before the awards ceremony started.
“It was fun,” Parker said. “There was a lot of stuff to do.”
Radiology student Brooke Johnson-Johns wasn’t at Spring Fling for very long, but she thought the Michael Jackson performance was “really cool.” She enjoyed the environment, though she felt like it was cramped inside.
“It was really nice, but it was really crowded,” Johnson-Johns said. “As long as the weather is fine, I’d say (do it) outside.”
Watch videos of the performance or check out our Spring Fling interactive! Don’t forget to check out our YouTube channel.