Written by Ashley Rosenbaum
Harding University will depart on a journey to Spring Sing International on April 1-3. Spring Sing International will expose the audience to different cultures and music that make up Harding University and the world. Sixteen social clubs and 800 students will take you on this far-flung journey.
Spring Sing director and professor of communication Dr. Steve Frye provided insight on the reason behind the theme for this year’s Spring Sing.
“Spring Sing International was chosen to reflect the international flavor of Harding University,” Frye said. “Our students come from around the country and around the world with over 45 nations represented by the students on our campus. It also showcases the international learning opportunities that the university provides with semester-long programs in seven different locations around the globe.”
The flags on the ceiling of the Benson represent the overseas programs and the countries where students are from.
“The flags in the Benson start at the center and move out in each direction indicating our overseas programs first, then where our students come from,” Frye said. “The order is based on the number of students from each country. “
Cindee Stockstill, the producer of Spring Sing, talked about the international theme from her perspective.
“We chose this themebecause we felt it reflected the overall mission of the university, its outreach and its diversity of students,” Stockstill said.
Stockstill also commented on how proud she is of the university and the impact it has around the world.“This show is meant to be a celebration of the fact that our students come from and go out to all the four corners of the world to make a difference,” Stockstill said.
Spring sing participants have also enjoyed the international theme for Spring Sing this year.
“I love the international theme for Spring Sing this year,” Spring Sing participant Molly Shoaf said. “It gives all of us more insight into how Harding is making its mark around the world by talking about studying abroad, the Walton Scholars, Chinese students and overseas mission trips students have gone on.”
Chi Sigma Alpha, Regina and Oege participant Monica Russell said she thought that Spring Sing International was the perfect theme for this year.
“It describes what Harding University is all about and unifies us in a way that you could never imagine,” Russell said. “When you see the show, you will truly see Spring Sing International come alive in a spectacular way, and once the show is over, you will feel like you have experienced a trip around the world.”
Zeta Rho participant Jessica Aebi said she loved that the Chinese and Walton Scholars were added to this year’s show.
“I love that we incorporated the Chinese and Walton Scholars,” Aebi said. “It is so awesome to show Harding’s international relations.”
Chi Sigma Alpha, Regina and Oege Spring Sing participant Marcos Tolentino believed that the international theme is great for this year.
“I think that the theme, ‘International’, is a great theme for this year,” Tolentino said. “Our school has many faculty members and students from around the world and I think it is a great way for all of the social clubs to express how we view certain events around the world in our silly ways through ‘choreography.’ I also enjoy that we have the Walton and Chinese scholars as a part of our Spring Sing 2010 because it shows us a little bit of how their culture is back at home.”
JuGoJu Spring Sing Participant Jillian Shamblin thought this theme described Harding really well.
Shamblin said, “I love Spring Sing’s “International” theme because it describes the students that make up Harding’s student body, which is students from all over the world and students studying abroad throughout the world.”
Chi Kappa Rho Spring Sing director Melissa Jennings said she believed that this year’s theme is a wonderful idea and represents more important issues in life.
“It reminds us that there is something out there bigger than just our life here,” Jennings said. “The show focuses on finding our place in this world, which is something everyone searches for, making this year’s theme relevant to each and every participant and spectator.”
Those who attend Spring Sing will be taken on a tour around the globe that begins and ends in the Benson, where this weekend, all the world is truly a stage.
