On Saturday, Nov. 2, the Elizabethtown College Democrats hosted a karaoke event for charity. The event was held in the Jay Lounge, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission was $3, and all proceeds benefited Smiles for Abby, a nonprofit located in Elizabethtown supporting young adults who have cancer.
Smiles for Abby was founded by Abby Valentine’s husband Nick Valentine in August 2023. The organization was founded before Abby’s passing to help other young adult cancer patients in need. Their goal is to provide care packages, information and a lending ear to young adults 20 and older who were recently diagnosed with cancer. The care package program they implemented provides practical and comfort items for patients that must endure long hospital stays. Every cent raised goes towards purchasing care package items that are not donated by the community and supporting the work that they do to make this patient program a reality. Students can find out more about this wonderful cause on their website, smilesforabby.org.
Students were invited to wear Halloween costumes, as Halloween was the previous Thursday. There was also a costume contest, and the cabinet of Etown Dems chose the best dressed.
Students could sign up at any time for a slot to sing. They could also choose any song that they wanted. Beverages and snacks were provided for students, and everyone was invited to relax and watch their peers sing.
On their Facebook page, the Etown College Dems share that the club is dedicated to encouraging campus and community involvement in the political process. They have events ranging from karaoke to helping students register to vote in upcoming elections. There are four positions on the cabinet in the club. The treasurer is sophomore Jaclyn Cline, the secretary is sophomore Aileigh Mulligan, the vice president is sophomore Bailey Kenny and the president is sophomore Zach Kleinfelter. Most recently, the club took a trip to visit the capitol building in Harrisburg.
Many people attended the karaoke event. Sophomores Hailey Sosnowski and Katie De La Rosa, both music therapy majors, were very excited to be in attendance at the event.
“I’m ready to sing,” Sosnowski said. “I just am so excited to sing with my girls and to try my best to give everyone here a performance.”
“I think this is a good moment for everyone here. It’s a fun way to get involved on campus and to have some fun with friends,” De La Rosa explained.
Sosnowski and De La Rosa gave students a rendition of the song “Seventeen” from the musical “Heathers.” The song is a duet between the two main characters. Even with only one microphone, Hailey and Katie left students starstruck as they sang their hearts out.
“We always perform this song”, Sosnowski said. “It’s our go to any time there is karaoke.”
Other songs performed ranged from songs by ABBA to “Let It Go” from “Frozen.” Each song was given an introduction from Mulligan.
“What’s nineteen minus two?” Mulligan asked the crowd before introducing De La Rosa and Sosnowski’s number. Her introductions were witty and hilarious.
Students danced and sang along to their peers’ songs. Costumes ranged from Indiana Jones to witches to “The Wizard of Oz” characters.
“This is my last minute Wednesday Addams costume,” Sosnowski explained. Dawned in a black dress, braids and black lipstick. Katie was dressed as a “cool” cat.
“I ran out of ideas,” De La Rosa said. “But there was no way that I was not coming in a costume”.
Kaitlin Riley, a sophomore public relations major, also impressed the crowd with her rendition of “She Used To Be Mine” from the Broadway musical “Waitress.” Riley is a transfer student who arrived at Etown this semester.
“I haven’t been to many events on campus,” Riley said. “But so far, this is my favorite. I love getting to sing with all my friends here and getting to have fun here on campus. Karaoke was such a good idea from the club.”
The Etown College Dems will continue to hold events as the semester continues. Follow the Etown College Dems on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook to be updated with information about events. Their handle for instagram is @etowndems, and their handle for Twitter is @etown_dems.
