ASU Harlem Shakes it off

The Harlem Shake phenomenon has taken over YouTube, the Internet and, as of late, the ASU campus.

While it is unknown who actually started the trend, one thing is certain, Baauer’s “Harlem Shake,” can never be heard the same way again.

The trending videos start with a seemingly unaware group of people going about their business while one person, usually masked, moves to the beat of the song. Once the song reaches the chorus, the video cuts to a growing number of people in the area dancing wildly with random props and costumes.

The RAs of NorthPark Quads decided to take the opportunity to get students of ASU together and create their version of the trend.

“It seemed like something fun that we could organize for ASU students,” said Amanda Morales, graduate hall director and advisor of the NPQ Area Council. “Colleges and universities across the U.S. and around the world are taking part in the Harlem Shake and we felt that organizing this program would be a great way to get everyone together to make one big ASU Harlem Shake video.”

NPQ Council created the ASU Harlem Shake-Off, a competition between organizations on who could create the best Harlem Shake video. Organizations and students alike were encouraged to submit their videos and attend the competition in Centennial Hall where students would vote on the best videos.

Andrew Nichols, NPQ RA and leader of the event worked with other RAs to put together and advertise the Shake-Off. “This event is to help raise student’s school spirit was well as provide a fun event,” he said. “Midterms are coming up and students are pretty stressed. This provides a great way for students to have fun, socialize and learn more about groups on campus.”

The winners received certificates as well as bragging rights as the best Harlem Shakers on ASU campus, Nichols said.

On Feb. 28, students voted for the best video in four categories: most school spirit, best Greek video, best student organization and best overall.

“Over ten videos from campus organizations, Greeks and groups of friends just getting together submitted videos,” Morales said.

What derived from a Harlem Shake video created during a staff conference led to the event that brought a variety of students together.

Leonard Jones, a junior social science major of Stockton, Ca., was the emcee of the event.

“It was kind of last minute, but it was very funny,” Jones said.

While the votes were being counted, students ventured to the lobby of the Student Union where an “ASU Harlem Shake” was created next to the wolf statue.  Students of all organizations joined in, dancing next to total strangers and catching the attention of nearby staff and students. The party was then taken back to Centennial Hall to announce the results of the winners.

For most school spirit, the winner was the Multicultural Center. The best Greeks video went to Chi Omega. The best student organization video went to the Japanese Student Organization and the overall best video went to Track and Field.

Lakeitha Ngwiri, senior IDS major of Stuttgart and member of Track and Field ran on stage to receive the award. “We are super excited,” Ngwiri said. “Our goal was to win and be the best.”