The houses came together Saturday to participate in the House History Competition at King’s for the first time since new rules were set for the competition. This year, the competition showcased prominent moments throughout each House's history by creating various scenes where participants acted out events. The House of Thatcher took first place, with the Houses of Susan B. Anthony and C.S. Lewis coming in second and third, respectively.

It was a fast-moving day full of busybodies and messy war rooms in preparation for the judges to circulate through and make their choices. As the clock ticked down, time seemed to stand still as each participant got into place and awaited professors, staff and fellow students to experience their set-ups.

Keeping in line with the rules set for the competition, Thatcher’s room resembled the “Mannequin Challenge” which was a popular trend from 2016. Participants posed statuesque as visitors experienced the scenes which included prominent events in the House’s history like Thatcher’s victories in reading competitions, the creation of Night of Worship, the annual Red and Green Affair and the evolution of house initiation.

“I am very proud of the house. If you would have told me freshmen year that the house would mean this much to me, I would have laughed in your face,” said Ruby Duane, a sophomore and Thatcher’s Spiritual Life Associate.

The Thatcher women, which included a large turnout of freshmen, anticipated a big win. Freshman Kaylee Vroon was excited for her house to take first place.

“I’m so proud to have been a part of this competition. I’m hoping this helps us get ahead of SBA so we can take the House Cup this year,” Vroon said.

From left to right, freshman Mattie Townson and sophomore Olivia Staggs perform in the House History Competition for House of Thatcher. I I Photo credit to Annie Mae Jones

Despite setting up parts of their scene the night before, the House of Susan B. Anthony took second place. The women depicted various words that were part of their house’s principles, supplying pumpkin muffins and pamphlets which included more House history for the judges to take with them from the room.

“The handouts were an ‘exhibition guide’ that Sarah Stett put together hoping to explain our set! We were trying to keep with the prompt of a museum exhibit,” said Deborah Gonçalves.

Next door to SBA was the House of C.S. Lewis, which took third place. Helmsman Harrison Chapman narrated the set-up as the judges saw the House’s namesake history, their current house cup and the singing of the Doxology.

The House of Reagan/Honor’s diorama was a tribute to a group of students that skipped a house competition 10 years ago. They tailored the competition and their president said they “attempted to fulfill the spirit of the event rather than the exact directions,” and ended up taking the last place in the competition.

Reagan/ Honor in their House History diorama I I Photo credit to Fritz Scibbe

“We were not surprised by our placement; we knew going in that we wouldn’t meet the guidelines and would be last,” said Fritz Scibbe, the President of the House of Reagan/Honor, over email. “We were more interested in the men of our House feeling connected to each other and the history of the House than by the technicalities of the comp. I am proud of our turnout and the camaraderie shown by our guys.”

The House of Thatcher Takes First Place in House History Competition