Essence, BSU take top honors at Yell Like Hell

Alumni Hall truly came alive in 2005 at Thursday evening's annual Yell Like Hell spirit competition hosted by the Student Alumni Association. Bubbly student cheers could be heard all the way to the Mezzanine level Pizza Hut.\nIU Essence took first place at the event after drawing a standing ovation from the crowd of more than 500, among the 10 performances of the evening, which included Student Athletic Board, IU Poms and a cappella musical groups Ladies First and Straight No Chaser. \nSAA Vice President of Special Events Adam Russ said turnout was better than expected considering the exclusion of the greek community from the event.\nThe greek community, though historically involved in Yell Like Hell, was unable to attend this year due to "serenades," a tradition in which chapter houses pair up for Homecoming events.\nIn addition to hosting the event, SAA members did an Indiana-themed rendition of Michael Jackson's "Thriller." Students wore ripped T-shirts and ghostly make-up, drawing laughter from the audience. They came away placing third.\nIt was IU Essence hip-hop dance team, though, that brought down the house, never missing a beat to Missy Elliot's "Lose Control."\nPerformance judge Jeremiah Shinn said it was the "great crowd response" to IU Essence's performance that gave them the extra edge and a first-place finish.\nIU Essence captain and senior Jessica Berry said claiming the top spot was "unexpected."\n"We just came out and did our thing," she said. "The crowd was so nice. We had a lot of support."\nThe Black Student Union's skit-dance routine, with several representatives present at the event, took second place. BSU President Courtney Williams took the lead role in the sketch that involved a look at black IU students through the years.\nThis was BSU's first year involved in Yell Like Hell and Williams says it's certainly not the last.\n"We were so excited because we had so many African-American students here tonight," she said. "We'll place first next year."\nStraight No Chaser was a crowd pleaser, harmonizing Montell Jordan's "This Is How We Do It" before a sea of happy listeners. Some stood in the doorway just to hear.\nStudents sang along with Ladies First's up-beat interpretation of The Beatles' "Yesterday." The female talent also synchronized techno- and country-inspired pieces.\nPrizes were raffled off throughout the hour-long show. Freshman Lindsey Boyd won gift certificates to Jimmy John's, Dagwood's and Moe's Southwest Grill. Boyd was there to see her friend dance in IU Essence, which she said was her favorite performance of the evening. \n"They had those cute dances," she said.\nYell Like Hell precedes Friday's primary Homecoming event, the 47th annual Homecoming Parade. The parade commences at 5:30 p.m. on East Third Street.