The Koons Activity Venue was full of energy on March 27 as students gathered for Elizabethtown College’s fifth annual Campus Queens Drag Show. From the moment the music started, it was clear this was not just another campus event. It was a night built around fun, expression and pride.
The show kicked off at 6 p.m., and the room quickly filled with cheers, laughter and phones held high, trying to capture every moment. Performances ranged from high-energy dance routines to lip syncing and even live singing, keeping the crowd engaged the entire time.
One of the highlights of the night was seeing Betty White Castle and Lizzy Beaumont take the stage. Outside of drag, Castle is an art teacher and Beaumont is a nurse, but on stage, they brought a completely different kind of energy. Their performances blended humor, confidence and emotion, and when they performed together, their friendship really showed.
At one point, they shared a more heartfelt moment through music, slowing things down before bringing the energy right back up. They closed the night with “We Are Family,” which felt like the perfect way to end things. For them, coming back to Etown each year feels like returning to a place where they belong.
The crowd reflected that same feeling. Students were not just watching, they were part of the show. People cheered, laughed, sang along and tipped the performers, showing just how much they appreciated what was happening on stage.
This year’s show also brought in students from other schools. Because of the “Thrift to Impress” event earlier in the day, students from Millersville University and Franklin & Marshall College came out to attend.
Makayla Reese, a student from Millersville, did not hold back her excitement.
“I loved every bit of this show, these queens are dope and I am so happy to have come here,” Reese said.
Kristen Moyer, also from Millersville, was especially impressed by the creativity behind the performances.
“I cannot believe that Betty White Castle makes her own outfits. This is truly a sight to see. I cannot wait to take pictures with them all,” Moyer said.
As the show wrapped up, Adrianna Flory, president of the Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA), thanked the performers and organizers, including Darcey Mills, for making the event happen. Flory also mentioned that custom shirts made for the event were available, giving students something to remember the night by.
Even after the performances ended, no one was in a rush to leave. Students lined up to take pictures with the queens, while others gathered around a photo station set up with a ring light and LGBTQ+ flags. The room stayed full of conversation, laughter and people just enjoying being there.
For many students, the night was also about feeling seen and celebrating identity. Jay Diaz, a senior environmental science major with a minor in data analytics, shared why the event matters to him.
“I always love to see these iconic Campus Queens,” Diaz said. “I loved to take pictures next to my flag.”
More than anything, the Campus Queens Drag Show felt like a space where people could relax and be themselves. It was not just about the performances, it was about the feeling in the room.
And by the end of the night, that feeling was hard to miss.