Like a rockstar

Sure, girls just want to have fun, but Cyndi Lauper never told eighth graders Emma Gerimm, Libby Shores, Addisyn Terpstra, Kenzie Barton and Anniston Chambers how to do it.

It turns out, all they needed was about a dozen cans of hairspray, a playlist of amazing ’80s tunes and a company of best friends to share the stage with during the Berg Middle School Lip Sync Battle.

The group of five middle schoolers admit the experience Friday night’s fundraiser was a little stressful at first, especially for Terpstra, a first-time lip-syncer. Thankfully, a month’s worth of choreography practice seemed to work wonders.

“We all worked together and made it work,” she said after her team finished in the top three of the middle school division. “We made it fun.”

Carefully crafting their ’80s mashup setlist, each group member took turns leading one lip-synced song after another and performing with vibrant energy; at one point they all improvised guitar solos with the help of inflatable instruments.

Using props and costumes to their advantage, the team was certainly one of the more colorful groups in the showcase that featured performances inspired by musicals “The Greatest Showman” and “Annie” or included snippets of “oldies” and modern radio singles.

Of course, the middle schoolers didn’t get to have all the fun. Faculty members were encouraged to volunteer and perform some of their favorite tunes as best they could.

Berg Middle School Assistant Principal Stephanie Langstraat wowed audiences last year by rappelling from the ceiling during her P!nk lip sync set. This year, Langstraat reenacted the opening of “The Lion King” with her two-year-old twins, Finn and Lennon. Assuming the role of mandrill Rafiki, Langstraat smudged red makeup across her kids’ foreheads and hoisted them toward the crowd to uproarious applause.

So it’s no wonder her act won the teacher division of the Lip Sync Battle. Admittedly, she said the costumes and makeup were fairly last-minute ideas, too. Being able to include her children in the battle was “the best part” for the assistant principal.

“That beats rappelling from the ceiling any time,” Langstraat said. “The credit goes to our student council. It’s an overwhelmingly fabulous event that they put on. The coolest part is just seeing these kids comes out of their comfort zone. And maybe it’s not out of some of their comfort zones, but it’s just super awesome and they put a lot of work into it.”

As does BMS teacher and student council sponsor Tyler Stewart, who planned the event. Hundreds flocked to the middle school gymnasium to watch the competition and support the students involved.

Thrilled with the turnout, Stewart said holding the event at the new middle school “was more set up” and organized than in previous years. Students were even communicating with walkie talkies backstage to facilitate the show and make sure props and performers were ready.

“It was hard but it was totally worth it. Totally different atmosphere,” Stewart said. “I’m already thinking about next year because the last two years I’ve lost to Langstraat, so I have to find a way to beat her. Next year is going to be awesome. It’s going to grow even more.”

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com