By Matthew Dooley Staff writer
Alpha Delta Pi brought the annual Beauty and the Greek pageant to Susquehanna on Oct. 25.
The fundraiser, styled to be a mixture between the Golden Globes and “America’s Got Talent,” supplied laughs and thought-provoking commentary to those who attended.
Whether an individual was Greek or not, this event was a chance for students to support their classmates as much as it was a fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House in Danville.
“All the proceeds go to our philanthropy, which is the Ronald McDonald House,” Alpha Delta Pi sophomore Annie Weis said.
“Every Greek organization brings a candidate and they all compete in this event,” she added.
Following a Harmonic Combustion concert, the Beauty and the Greek pageant officially began.
The students in attendance were first introduced to their hosts, seniors Sylvia Sentz and Brenna Burke, who there to provide light banter between the acts.
Sentz and Burke introduced the four judges, including representatives from the Ronald McDonald House in Danville, the Susquehanna University Counseling Center and the interim director of leadership engagement at Susquehanna.
The contestants were grouped into pairs, with each sorority or fraternity providing a representative.
The only exception was the co-ed service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega, which provided two representatives to the competition who were put on different teams.
The students were asked to showcase who they were through a talent, Q&A and skit.
Beauty and the Greek was a chance for students to have fun supporting one another and supporting a local charity.
However, it also gave contestants the chance to break the stereotypes that inhibit Greek life and showcase the leadership skills and friendships it has brought to its members.
Junior Chad Hummel, a member of Pi Kappa Phi, said: “Greek life has always been about inclusion. Whether you are in Greek life or not, most events are always open to everybody, especially fundraisers. Always feel free to come and meet people. You can easily make friends just by hanging out and watching.”
Going to Greek-sponsored events can be beneficial for every student according to the junior Ashley Sandstrom.
She added that participating in the event if one is in Greek life “is important because it supports good communication between all the fraternities and sororities on campus.”
The attendance at such events may be growing. Senior Noah Diaz-Portalatin, a member of Phi Mu Delta, noticed this and said in reflection of Beauty and the Greek, “I thought it was a bigger turn-out than any other year.”
2016’s Beauty and the Greek was won by Tau Kappa Epsilon senior John Martone and Sigma Gamma Roe sophomore Donique Haynes.
Runner-ups included Kappa Delta sophomore Caitlin Barnes and Phi Mu Alpha junior Kevin Gryzbek in second. Sigma Alpha Iota sophomore Hannah Nyce and Hamric placed third.
