By Sophie Gage, CIU Student Writer
The annual House Throwdown took Columbia International University “by storm” on Jan. 30, just ahead of a rare South Carolina snow event. Cheers erupted in the frigid winter air as the most anticipated event of the House Collective games began with festive lights and snacks outside of the cafeteria. The immense preparation that went into this event was made clear not only by the Student Recreational team, the Student Life staff, and the Resident Assistants, but also by the intricate costumes and competitive spirit that each student had for their own house. Soon the houses would battle it out with clever skits and friendly competition.
The annual House Throwdown is one of the most anticipated events of the House Collective, a year-long competition between the seven residential houses vying for the coveted House Cup.
From rockstars to a granny with war paint on, house Dignitas showed up to the event ready to challenge all the other houses to a higher level of commitment. Although Dignitas may have cheered the loudest or worn the most intricate costumes, the other houses were up for the challenge.
Austin Riggs, an RA of house Sapientia, said that his house was “the wisest and best house of all time … wiser than Solomon.” Those are fighting words! Did the other houses stand up to the test?
As the excited house members filed into Hoke Auditorium, they were met by decorative streamers, balloons, and flags representing each house. Women’s Resident Director Julie Crosby, and Resident Life Coordinator Dylan Jacobs, reigned in the audience with a round of thanks to the many teams that poured their time and energy into making the event happen.
The tension was high as the performances began with a uniquely creative performance by house Virtus, which followed the story of an RA being kidnapped and taken hostage in a video game consul. The rest of his house jumped in to rescue him and fought a series of foes representing the other houses, defeating them, and asserting dominance.
Fidelitas made themselves known by singing clever parodies of songs from the Disney musical Tangled with beautiful choreography and costume design. Academic Advisor Anne Pierce, representing Fidelitas, said with near tears in her eyes that it was a “12/10! The originality, the passion, the enthusiasm!”
Veritas went next, and as the leader in the House Collective competition overall, did not disappoint. An intriguing mystery unfolded as Veritas girls investigated a theft which threw all the other houses under suspicion. The house was unfazed by the crimes committed against them and reinforced the talents and gifts Veritas house must have to spark jealousy from all the others.
Sapientia followed, and an instigator in the competitive spirit between the houses, established their authoritative right to be the wisest and most capable house. Their skit showed the intense ritual of joining Sapientia that is necessary because of their uniquely powerful community.
Aequitas assembled before all the other houses as minions plotting to steal something valuable from each competitor, Justitia staged an elaborate survivor game between up-and-coming RAs, and Dignitas danced through a blend of popular songs that revealed a woman of dignity to be of more worth than worldly values ascribed to Barbie dolls.
In the end, the judges had their work cut out for them to decide which performance would eke it out. Finally, as possibly the most noise ever heard on campus roared, House Virtus took the victory! With the competition resolved, the houses came together to celebrate, revealing that although we are separated by buildings, the houses are stronger when they stand together.
(Above: The House of Fidelitas performs. Photo by Ben Boisture)
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