 "Photo: Brad Tollefson")
Starting at 6:15 p.m. Friday, sound checks and bass beats could be heard from the Matador Room in the Student Union Building, where the members of Delta Sigma Theta hosted the 2009 Jabberwock.
Seats were filled quickly as students and members of the community gathered, dropping off canned goods for the South Plains Food Bank and donations for Delta Academy on their way in. Chinelo Ikpeama, a senior English major from Friendswood and vice president of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, delivered an opening introduction before the competition took way.
“The term Jabberwock was taken from Lewis Carol’s poem in ‘Through the Looking Glass’ wherein the Jabberwock summoned the creatures of the woods to perform their various talents,” she said. “Started in 1925, the purpose of Jabberwock now is to raise funds for scholarships and showcase talent from the minority community to Texas Tech.”
Lauren Lisath, co-chair of the event and a Delta Sigma Theta member, talked briefly about the event and the message she hoped the audience would take from it.
“This is more of a diversity event,” said Lisath, a senior clinical lab sciences major from Dallas. “It’s more than just not judging a book by its cover, it’s giving everyone an opportunity to allow themselves to share a piece of their story to Texas Tech.”
Opening for the night was a performance by James Adams, a sophomore international business and Chinese major from Lancaster, who sang a self-written song “Lost Love.”
“Jabberwock is all personal,” he said. “This is what I want to do with my life. I can showcase my talent and what I do as a musical artist. It gives the same opportunity to everyone here.”
Alandria Suggs also sang a self-written song titled “Caught Up.”
“It’s a great opportunity for people to realize that talent comes in different forms and colors,” said Suggs, a junior sociology and criminology major from Midland. “I stand for all the women that believe in themselves, that have the courage and strength to better their lives. Anything is possible, and no one can do you the way you do it. I feel like music and poetry is self expression through my life experiences.”
The first half of the night was filled with musical entertainment from Adams, dance from Praney Sheel Enamela, a poetry reading by Chris Brooks — who won third overall that night — and a step performance by the Double T Steppers — who earned second overall.
Guest hosts Steven Johnson and Royce Sarpy kept the energy going throughout the night, raffling donated gifts ranging from Baskin-Robbins coupons to Target gift cards and ensuring the audience stayed energetic between performances.
First place winners Matthew Payne, vocals, and Johnathan Espinoza, acoustic guitar, began the second half of the night by performing “Poor Wayfaring Stranger,” a folk spiritual originally arranged by Richard W. Adams. Chris Pleimann, donning the signature “Jabberwocky” mask, entertained the crowd with a popping routine, followed by Alandria Suggs’ vocal talents. Ending for the night was Brittany Martel, a sophomore psychology major from Houston, who danced to Beyonce’s song “Ego.”
“I consider this experience a blessing because I get to inspire others,” Martel said. “I’m showcasing my talent and living the dream I always wanted to. I’m getting to entertain my colleagues and show something that is a talent and love of my life.”
Delta Sigma Theta, founded at Tech in 1970, was the first Black organization to be founded on campus. Ikpeama said Jabberwock, one of Delta Sigma Theta’s annual events, encompasses the spirit the sorority hopes to continue to project to the community.
“We wanted to give people from all different backgrounds and cultures a chance to come together in one celebration,” said Delta Sigma Theta member Daviin Morris, a junior biochemistry major from Midland. “It turned out really well.”
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