Harvard's Oscars: The "Parade of Stars"

The first-ever Parade of Stars, a celebration of undergraduate extracurricular accomplishments that was produced by Chetanna Okasi '98 and billed as "Harvard's version of the Oscars," took place in Sanders Theatre on May 7. Reading period notwithstanding, the event drew more than 500 attendees to recognize student achievements in music, drama, sports, community service, the visual arts, media, and dance. The award presentations were punctuated by musical interludes, and emcee Jason B. Phillips '99 gave the evening a humorous spin. Award recipients included the Ivy League championship-winning football team, the women's basketball team, Diversity & Distinction magazine (for publication of the year), the Institute of Politics (for outstanding political/social action group), and Leverett House (House of the Year).

The celebration drew fire, however, from student groups who criticized the event as a popularity contest. Several groups declined their nominations, leaving two default winners: the Immediate Gratification Players comedy troupe, for outstanding theater group, and the Kuumba Singers, for outstanding choral music. But producer Okasi asserted that the winners accurately reflected student sentiment. Nominees in each category were drawn from more than 400 ballots that were distributed outside the Science Center and returned by students. More than 1,500 students then chose the winners by submitting ballots in the dining halls and via the Internet.

"My emphasis was on a unique idea, something novel," Okasi explained. "Parade of Stars is the only event on this campus that I can truly say successfully united groups of students from all walks of life, all activities." The event was co-sponsored by the Undergraduate Council and the Crimson, and funded by corporate sponsors. Okasi said plans are already in place for a second annual Parade.

~ S.C.