I remember the night as if it were yesterday. I was sitting in the library trying to find a good reason to get up and leave my homework alone. It didn’t take much but the actual thought of not doing my homework that got me to stand up and go for a stroll. As I walked through the library, I noticed the looks on the faces of the students that I passed. They looked depressed, sad, and miserable. However, this was not the first time that I had noticed these looks. For three years I have walked these halls, and I have felt the stress that school can bring. Then it came to me. I need to give these people something to smile about!
That night the idea of starting Union College’s very own boy band came into existence. To do this though I needed to find some boy’s that would fit the build. After some very long and competitive tryouts, the first UC Boyz squad was formed. It included your very own J-Fiah Reeves, David Choi, Owen Urmacher, and myself.
The spring banquet at the Rococo was our debut, and even though we didn’t receive hardly any love from the judges, we received a tidal wave of it from the ones who mattered the most- you. We have to admit the outpouring of fan mail caught us by surprise. However, one constant message kept resounding from our fans throughout the letters- “WE WANT MORE!”
We scrambled in attempts to give the people what they wanted one more time. Then the opportunity came. Lip Sync Battle. To do this right we needed to gather a few more people. Particularly, some guys that looked like and acted like boys. After one audition with no competition but each other, Zach Krall and Jose Miguel Marin were introduced to the squad. We practiced countless hours with the help of Union College’s two best choreographers, Ivy Arreguin and Daisy Alvarez.
I told the boyz over and over that after the lip sync battle their lives will never be the same. Before we were to take the stage one last time together, we heard the resonating chants of “UC Boyz!” engulf Woods Auditorium. At that moment we knew we were at home, with our fans.
Although, we didn’t place (again), the only place that truly matters to us is in your hearts. However, It took awhile for the two newest boyz to recover, “After a sea of cell phone lights were displayed and an uproar of UC Boyz was heard throughout the auditorium, one could not fathom the idea of a loss,” said Zach Krall. Almost in tears, Jose Miguel Marin could be heard gasping, “We didn’t win, we didn’t win?” Later that night with the boyz by his bedside, Jose finally fell asleep.
Questions now arise. Such as, where do the UC Boyz go from here? Are they done? The answer is NO; the UC Boyz are not done! They are here forever, and they will be back next year on campus. Sadly though, three of us will be moving on, so the torch is now being passed on to those who remain. While reflecting on his run with the boyz, J-Fiah Reeves said, “It was a fun ride. But like all great rides, it must come to an end. And there is no crew I’d rather go out with than my UC BOYZ!”
All this leads me back to you, our fans. We want to thank you for the love and support you have shown. The smiles, the laughs, and the hugs make us know that walking away from my homework that one night in the library was probably the best choice that I have ever made here at Union College. It has made me happy to see you happy. As for my fellow seniors moving on from here, we sincerely hope that if we don’t ever run into you again down here, we see you again on the other side. There I promise I won't need to lip sync ever again. May God bless Union College and the UC Boyz!

Darren Robinson
Founder, UC Boyz

Darren Robinson is a senior studying theology.

To: Our Beloved Fans, From: The UC BOYZ

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