October 26, 2018
Mike Parker, the Fauquier County-raised young man who was snapped up by celebrity coach Jennifer Hudson at the last possible moment during blind auditions on NBC’s popular singing competition, “The Voice,” is coming to Laurel Ridge’s Warrenton Campus on Thursday, Nov. 1.
Parker, whose mother Dr. DeJuanna Parker is an Laurel Ridge academic adviser, will perform a few songs and act as a celebrity judge during the Laurel Ridge ’80s Lip Sync Battle, starting at 12:30 p.m. Mike, who will be a special guest judge during the competition, will also sing a few songs after the contestants have performed.
Dr. Parker and Mike’s brother, Collin, were shown celebrating backstage during his “The Voice” audition that aired earlier this month. Mike won his battle round during last week’s episode of the popular show.
Because this is such a unique opportunity for fans to see Mike perform, the college has decided to open the lip sync competition to members of the public, in addition to Laurel Ridge students, faculty and staff. The public is also welcome to just come and watch the show.
“We are so excited and so grateful to Mike for agreeing to come to Lord Fairfax and perform a few songs,” says Laurel Ridge campus life and student engagement specialist Chris Lambert – who will perform a 1980s Madonna hit. “Come out to Laurel Ridge and see Mike as his musical career is taking off. He’s moving to California shortly after his performance, so this truly could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”
The first-place winner in the lip sync contest will receive a $100 Visa gift card, with $50 going to the second-place finisher, and $25 to the third.
Register for the competition at https://goo.gl/forms/eCegGN8dwnZup7Dm1, or email [email protected].
Thursday’s lip sync battle is part of a week of celebrations as Lord Fairfax celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Fauquier Campus. Other highlights include a Halloween costume runway contest, games, theme days and a showing of 1988 hit movie “Beetlejuice.”
Founded in 1970, Laurel Ridge Community College is a multi-campus public institution of higher education. With three locations — Middletown, Warrenton, and Luray-Page County — the College serves eight localities in the Shenandoah Valley and northern Piedmont regions. The localities are the counties of Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah and Warren and the city of Winchester. Laurel Ridge offers more than 75 associate degree and certificate programs in a wide variety of disciplines. Laurel Ridge also serves the business community by offering workforce preparation programs for employees and employers. Laurel Ridge serves more than 9,000 unduplicated credit students and more than 11,000 individuals in professional development and business and industry courses annually.
Laurel Ridge Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Laurel Ridge Community College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Laurel Ridge Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Laurel Ridge Community College is an equal opportunity institution providing educational and employment opportunities, programs, services, and activities. Laurel Ridge shall promote and maintain equal employment and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation, age (except when age is a bona fide occupational qualification), status as a veteran, national origin, or other non-merit factors. Laurel Ridge also prohibits sexual misconduct including sexual violence or harassment. Inquiries may be directed to the Associate Vice President, Human Resources, [email protected], 173 Skirmisher Lane, Middletown, VA 22645, 540-868-7226.
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.