$how's special theme celebrates 25 years of SpringSing HardingUniversity celebrated the 25th anniversary ofSpringSing in 1998 wi th the theme, "Sing." Director Steven Frye wanted to celebrate by looking to music's past and its future. "The program was developed to re-emphasize vocal production," Frye ·said. "'Sing' was intended to be a production filled with a lot of styles and energy." During the awards ceremony, Dr. John Ryan was presented with a formal resolution from Harding's Board of Trustees that renamed the sweepstakes award the John H. Ryan Award in honor of his 25 years as producer. The extravaganza featured seniors Marcus Neely and Justin Lawson as hosts and seniors Eve Clevenger and Ashleigh Short as hostesses . "Is it Still in the Night," produced by TNT, Zeta Rho, Chi Omega Pi and friends won the John H. Ryan Sweepstakes Award. They also won the awards for originality and music. "It's all Fun and Games," produced by Knights, Shantih, Sub T16, Theta Beta Kappa, Tri Kappa and friends won third runner up and the costume award. ''We were proud. Since our costumes weren't flashy like some other shows, we really didn 't expect to win that award. It came as a complete surprise," sophomore Cory Edwards said. "Anybody Wanna Play," produced by Del ta Chi Delta, Delta Gamma Rho and Kappa Gamma Epsilon won second runner up, while Chi Sigma Alpha and Regina won first runner up, choreography and the participation award for their production of "Ain't Nothin' but a Groove, Baby!" The finale of "Sing" had more than 40 past hosts and hostesses fill the stage and sing "United We Stand" and "We ' ll Never Say Goodbye. " More than 11,000 people attended the annual event. Although this number was fewer than expected, the directorsattributed the difference to the move away from Easter weekend to help remove conflicts between Spring Sing, the Tulsa Workshop and the Lads to Leaders Conference. - Philip Murphy Photo by I<risti Bums Dr. John Ryan tries to hold back tears as Dr. David Burks announces that the sweepstakes awardwillbe called the John H. Ryan Award and presents him with a certificate of gratitude from the Board of Trustees for his 25 years of service. When he accepted the award, Ryan asked the audience, "Have you ever heard ofa speech professor who is speechless?" and then humbly said thank you. Karie Fouts and Andrea Richmond embrace after "Is it Still in the Night?" wins the John H. Ryan Award. The Chi Omega Pi, TNT, Zeta Rho and friends show featured museum statues that came to life to protect the treasures from a bunch ofbumbling thieves. SPRING SING 17 •
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