From the Diddle Arena stage to the full crowd, the excitement permeated the air. Audience members waited to see what elaborate costumes, song mixes and high-energy dance numbers the next performance would hold.

Each year, sorority and fraternity members battle it out to earn the title of “Greek Week Champion.” Spring Sing—a song and dance competition between the sororities and fraternities—kicked off the week of events at 5 p.m. on Sunday.This year’s Spring Sing theme was “50 Years of Greek,” since this year marks the 50th Anniversary of fraternities and sororities being recognized at WKU.

Alexandra Kennedy, coordinator of Greek Affairs, said Greek Week is designed to focus on unity of the chapters at WKU.

“’The ‘50 Years of Greek’ theme gives chapters creative freedom to show the audience what defines them as an organization,” explained Kennedy.

Routines ranged from Alpha Omicron Pi’s 50-year flashback to the legacy of James Bond to Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s rendition of “The Lion King.”

Taylor Bay, Alpha Delta Pi Spring Sing chair, said they choose “The Legacy Lives on Theme” to step out of the box.

“We wanted show that we’re more than the stereotype of ‘prim and proper’ girls,” Bay said. “We did our own thing and showed our real personalities.”

Spring Sing participants put blood, sweat, tears and hours of practice into perfecting their performances. Some of the fraternities and sororities started working on their routines months ago.

Alpha Gamma Rho’s Judd Lee said they have been working on their routine for over two months.

“Most of us have two left feet and we’re not built for dancing,” Lee said. “To be honest, we are ready to do our part for our fraternity and get it over with.”

In order to earn the title “Spring Sing Champion,” the performances are judged based on originality, singing, creativity, overall performance and several other standards.

“Aside from the musical talent, we’re looking for the group that catches the spirit of Greek Week,” Scott Taylor, five-time Spring Sing judge, said.

For the last two years, Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji), has taken home the Spring Sing Championship and are looking for a third victory.

Charlie Ray, senior member of Fiji and public health major, has been a part of Spring Sing since his freshman year.

“Winning this year would be the ideal ending to my work with Spring Sing,” Ray said. “This routine was 100 -percent authentic Fiji. We did this all by ourselves for the first year ever, so it’s a great one to go out on.”

On the sisterhood side, Kappa Delta took home the victory last year and is also looking for a repeat.

Laura Hazlett, senior member of Kappa Delta, marketing and sales major and Greek Week chair, has been involved with Spring Sing for three years.

“Kappa Delta never focuses on doing it for the win,” explained Hazlett, “we do it for the girl next to you and the girls before you. A win would be amazing, but we are doing it for each other.”

The winner of Spring Sing won’t be announced until Sunday, April 26, during the convocation ceremony, which also brings an end to the week of events. 

Connor Snyder, senior member of Kappa Sigma, says waiting to find out the winner builds the anticipation and is very nerve wracking. 

“It’s fun to see who placed where, but at the end of the day we’re all Greeks, and it’s fun to go out and be a part of that,” said Snyder.