After a year of House Competitions and days and nights consumed with Interregnum events, The House of C. S. Lewis (Lewis) took home both the Interregnum Cup and the hard-won House Cup with the House of Susan B. Anthony (SBA) in a close second.

“Winning interregnum this year was a Herculean effort for some of our house members. Many of them had a couple late nights during interregnum and participated in multiple events,” said Kyle Kendrick, Lewis’ Leader of Opposition. “Our house rallied around each other’s successes, which certainly strengthened our bond to one another. But I’m also thankful that we all knew that winning wasn’t the main priority.”

Kyle Kendrick and Jared Neikirk representing the House of C.S Lewis. || Photo Credit to Gabriela Kressley

Though the competition was the means by which the house grew together, victory wasn’t the main aim this year for Lewis. Rather, it was actually unexpected.

“I really didn’t expect to win,” said David Hancock, Helmsman of Lewis. “I am so proud of all our guys, they deserve this win because of their effort and dedication. All we did on exec was give them a stage to shine on. As a sophomore exec. member I 100 percent plan to ride this victory until I graduate.”

This being the fifth time Lewis has won the House Cup, Hancock expressed that that victory is a testament to the House’s overall character.

Placing first in Random Theme Debate, Great Speech, second in Performing Arts and Parliamentary Debate, and third in Creative Writing, Lewis is proud of what it was able to accomplish this year.

“Coming to King’s, I was really about the house system and for the last four years I have really wanted to be a part of a house the took things seriously,” said Will Bortins, Senior in the house of Lewis. “It’s a great thing to know as a senior that I’m leaving the house on a high note.”

Though Lewis did win overall this year, they did not win the final debate of Interregnum XV. Rather, SBA swept the floor in the Final Debate round, securing the house’s place in second while the House of Sojourner Truth placed third in Interregnum and the House of Queen Elizabeth I placed third in the House Competition.

Jillian Cheney representing the House of Susan B. Anthony. || Photo Credit to Gabriela Kressley

“It was really surreal to be on the stage in front of the student body in the first place,” said Jillian Cheney, Member of Government for SBA. “Both Catie and I were nervous about debating Jared and Kyle because we know how intelligent and skilled they are, but once we started I just calmed down and decided that even my nerves couldn't change my performance. So we both had a good time. For me, winning was surprising just because I was doing it for fun in the first place.”

Though SBA placed first in Parliamentary Debate, second in Great Speech and 3-Hour Art, and third in Prepared Lecture, as well as first in House Namesake and GPA Competition, the house suffered a minor blow to her self-confidence this year.

“Of course it’s a bit disappointing to take 2nd in both Interregnum and House Cup, especially for my senior year, but it was never really about the competition for me,” said Michalah Bell, House President of SBA. “I’m just proud that the talents of the house came through, whether in art, writing, speaking, or debate.”

Hank Jeannel, the Chair of Interregnum XV Committee preparing to announce the winners. || Photo credit to Gabriela Kressley

However, though disappointed, SBA House Members still remain proud of the work their house put forward.

“I’m so proud of my girls, especially winning [the] Final Debate. You’d have to check the records for sure, but our exec team was pretty sure this was SBA’s first time making it to [the] final debate. It was Catie and Jillian’s fourth time debating against Kyle and they lost every time, counting the last time, so winning was very satisfying,” Bell said.“Honestly, winning [the] Final Debate might be a bigger deal than Interregnum. We certainly celebrated like it was!”

The House of C. S. Lewis Takes Home Interregnum and House Cup