While homecoming festivities generally include events such as spirit week and pep rallies, Mock Rock is more unique to Puma Nation. Held annually during homecoming week, Mock Rock is not only a lip syncing competition ran by student government, but a chance for students to win free homecoming tickets.

According to StuGo Advisor Brandon Keeling, this tradition was inspired by a StuGo advisor from McClintock about five years ago. “They have been doing the event there for a very long time,” he says, “and when she described how much the students enjoy it, we decided that it was something we should really try.”

Sophomore Brielle Hatch, Mock Rock committee member, says that they hold Mock Rock as a way for students to have fun.  She encourages students to participate, saying, “If you want to get your face noticed, it’s a great way to do it because it’s one of the events that people love coming and watching.”  Hatch says that if she was not in StuGo, there is a good chance she would be performing with her friends.

Like Hatch, senior class Vice President Claire Mahaffey hopes to see a large crowd ready to watch Mock Rock on Wednesday.  She says, “I would encourage everyone to come and support the event because the individual performances are entertaining and hilarious.”

She sees it as a way for students to “prove school spirit… [and] have fun doing something they don’t usually get a chance to showcase.” The performances are judged by audience turnout and reaction, so students have the power to directly choose their Mock Rock winners.

Last year, Senior Ryan McGonagle won mock rock as a junior, alongside previous senior, Josh Lovato. They performed to “Pound the Alarm” by Nikki Minaj.  “Josh and I practiced for a long time and I was pretty confident,” he explains, “and when we saw our competition… our chances were good.”

Among the six groups signed up last week was Senior Nicholas Jernigan and friends.  Nicholas sees the competition not as an opportunity to win free tickets, but instead, in his own words, “[an] opportunity to have fun.” He says, “Being able to sing and dance with friends in front of your peers doesn’t happen every day, and I want to take advantage of it.”

While not sure what to expect from Mock Rock, Freshman Keaton Merrell looks forward to watching because it sounds “very fun, original, and interesting to watch”.  Similarly, students of all classes look forward to seeing Mock Rock every year, and Senior Josh Hudgens enjoys watching it at the assemblies because it “inspires [students] to go out of their comfort zone and have a good time.”

Mock Rock will take place outside next to the cafeteria during all lunches on Wednesday, October 23. The winners will win homecoming tickets and have the opportunity to perform during the homecoming assembly on Friday, October 25.