Slide Show Slide Show: Spirited ‘Clash’ Wraps Orientation Week for the Class of ’27

Orange and black streamers twisted around each other, lining the bridge from Poe Field to Princeton Stadium. An announcer’s booming voice and students’ cheers could be heard all the way from Bloomberg Hall as Princeton’s freshmen prepared for the Clash of the Colleges, an annual tradition where students represent their residential colleges and compete in games, lip sync battles, and performances. 

This year, the steamy September night was particularly challenging for the mascots. “Being the bee was really sweaty,” said Sava Evangelista ’26, who donned Butler College’s plush mascot suit, “but it was fun seeing the students get riled up. We won the best mascot, the best colors, the best track — they didn’t say first, but we were first in our hearts.”

The Clash of the Colleges wraps up more than a week of first-year orientation activities and takes place the night before fall semester classes begin. “Running onto the field with all of Whitman, screaming with whales flying around, and horns blowing, was definitely electric, especially with school at 9 a.m. tomorrow,” said Xander Constantine ’27.  

After the students and their residential college advisers (RCAs) stormed the field, the festivities began. The first game involved students passing giant footballs between their legs and over their heads under a time crunch. Rocky College won a close race, with an instant replay on the stadium’s video screen determining the victor.  

Other events included passing a hula hoop along a human chain and running a relay race where a pair of competitors navigated obstacles while balancing a dodgeball between two pool noodles.

The colleges were also judged on their lip sync performances. New College West RCAs donned pink cowboy hats and danced with their mascot, the fox, to “Barbie Girl” by Ice Spice and Nicki Minaj. Not to be outdone, their neighbors from Yeh College danced with their yeti mascot, with one very dedicated RCA performing on crutches. The Whitman RCAs donned sailor hats and umbrellas to perform Rhianna’s “Umbrella.” 

Staff members embraced the energy of the event. “It’s just a great time for all colleges to get to know one another, to see what swag everybody brings in the Class of ’27,” said Caric Appleton, a residential life coordinator at Butler.

Throughout the competition, the RCAs rallied their teams, excited to be playing their part in the games. “My freshman year was virtual so I didn’t go to any events,” said Saul Vargas ’24, an RCA in New College West. “This year is a million times better.” 

“It was cool to be in the RCA role at Clash,” said Emmanuelle Sippy ’25, an RCA in Rocky. “It’s probably one of the most fun things we do. A lot of times I have to tell my zees that something is mandatory, but this time I told my zees today it was mandatory fun.” 

After performances by the Princeton cheerleaders and the Princeton University Band, the scoring committee announced the results: Yeh claimed first place, and its students immediately ran a victory lap around the other colleges, holding up the college crest and tossing a giant inflatable yeti in the air. 

“It’s amazing!” said Farihah Chowdhury ’27, one of the Yeh first-years. “I love the school spirit … and how everyone bonds together.”