BY CHRISTINA ALFARO
As the year began to wind down, a group of TV Studio students planned and filmed the lip dub, an event that had been postponed for two years due to COVID-19. This year’s team of students and staff worked to make sure everything got done properly for May 31.
After getting permission for administration and setting a date to film, students put together a music mix to play in the video. “We need to make sure that the mix is approved by YouTube so that it won’t be taken down,” said senior Robert Obdyke who helped make the mix and planned the route for filming.
While some students worked on those preparations, Victoria Lobrow handled the audition process. All 30 groups of students that tried out for the lip dub got in this year. “They just needed to be enthusiastic and comfortable in front of the camera. It also worked out that we needed a lot of people, so everyone was able to join,” said Lobrow.
A key step in the process is planning the route. “The route goes throughout the school and takes about 12 minutes to walk,” explained Obdyke. “We walk the school multiple times, figuring out where people will stand.”
The final preparations on the day of filming included multiple walk-throughs and last-minute changes. “Tyler Bannerman and Nick Martinow carried the speaker and helped with organization and Michael Schoenberg shot and edited the entire thing,” explained Steve Gajeski, a TV teacher who facilitated the project. “We did five or six walk-throughs and those three guys helped organize and make adjustments as needed from the first walk through to the final product.”
This year, junior Michael Schoenberg filled the important role of cameraman. He explained, “I must balance and hold the gimbal with the camera and a monitor as well as keeping everyone in focus. As well as making sure the camera is properly exposed to give the best possible video quality.”
Virtually everyone in the building who wanted could participate. The planning crew assigned teams and clubs specific spots along the route, and some teachers brought their classes to line the halls. According to Gajewski, “The energy of the students and staff was outstanding.”
After going two years without the Lip dub, the students and staff in charge of this year’s Lip dub made it a special one. Obdyke, the “driving force” behind the project according to Gajewski, said, “I thought the lip dub was amazing. Everyone had a great time and really embraced the energy.”
Christina Chiofalo and Anthony Taranto, who introduced and began the lip dub, practice their part in one of the run-throughs. 
Lillian Adelfio, Victoria Krol, and Kelly Higgins hold up posters for the Unified Basketball Team. 
Michael Schoenberg films Jessie Sava and Amanda Feldman as Marcella Kowalski, Francesca Pacucci, and the rest of the cheerleaders perform a stunt. 
Dr. Sasso looks on as Kerri Letizia and Katie Ponath lip sync and walk through the courtyard surrounded by the American Red Cross Club. 
Julia Rowen, Emily Stein, and Alex Nardone dance and sing in feather boas as they walk down the hallway leading to the auditorium. 
The softball team, including Sara Nazzaro and Brittany Campbell, form a tunnel for Taylor Williams as Coach Joseph D’Amico holds up his inflatable monkey. 
Mikayla Huff poses with a sign she made as she waits for the lip dub to start. 
Steven Gajewski, Michael Schoenberg, Robert Obdyke, and Nick Martinow work out some audio issues during a practice run. 
Jada Burke and Natalie Mickuki practice walking down the halls and singing for the lib dub while Michael Schoenberg and the crew practice the route and work out the timing. 
Byron Forson and Owen Zapanta lip synch as they walk through the courtyard surrounded by the lacrosse teams. 
Steven Gajewski, Robert Obdyke, Michael Schoenberg, and Nick Martinow walk through the route of the lib dub during the first practice run.
Posted on 6/15/22
Photos by Tim O’Neill
Knight Life 