More than 500 members of the Greek-letter community competed in Greek Week festivities last week, pitting the 11 recognized fraternities and eight sororities against each other in athletic and dramatic competitions.
Phi Sigma Sigma and Sigma Phi Epsilon won the category of overall best sorority and fraternity, respectively. Kappa Sigma member senior Jon Roberts won the title Greek God, while Sigma Delta Tau member junior Erica Sztabnik was crowned Greek Goddess.
“All of our sisters are excited to win for the fifth year in a row. It’s a real privilege to have the opportunity to participate with the entire Greek community and to be the winners,” Phi Sigma Sigma President Fiona Conroy said.
Members packed the J Street dining area last Wednesday for a date auction and the Greek God/Goddess competition. Music, laughter and vocal support for members of the Greek-letter organizations created the atmosphere of the event.
Men and women auctioned themselves off to the highest bidder to raise money for charities. Bids ranged from $55 to $225, including a bid of $200 on Phi Sigma Sigma member Katie Shaver, made by the Inter-Fraternity Council. An Alpha Phi member placed the highest bid, $225, for Sigma Phi Epsilon member and emcee Ryan Fitzgerald.
“There was more enthusiasm and participation than I have seen in four years in the Greek community,” said junior Christina Fanitzi, vice president of programming for the Panhellenic Association.
“(Greek Week) is one week when we come together to focus on community, unity and respect,” Phi Sigma Kappa President Kris Hart, a sophomore, said. “The date auction, skits and Greek God/Goddess competition are all a lot of fun and bring us closer while helping support charities.”
He also said fraternity and sorority members participate in positive community-building aspects of Greek life all year long.
The winners of the God/Goddess competition were announced Saturday night at Polyesther’s nightclub. Winners were chosen after interviews and a talent competition. More than 550 students attended the event and raised $1,550 dollars, which will be donated to My Sister’s Place, a shelter for battered women.
“I think it’s great that all the Greeks come together,” said senior Sasa Nikolic, a Sigma Phi Epsilon member.
Skit night, one of the most popular events of Greek Week, was well-attended again this year, with students watching their fellow Greeks show off their talent, said Tess Stovall, public relations chair for Phi Sigma Sigma.
Funger 108 was filled to capacity Thursday night as Greek organization members rooted and cheered for the members of their fraternity or sorority. All members of the audience showed enthusiasm during the event, marked by laughter, cheering and noise. The events kicked off a new year for the Greek-letter community.
“It was really great to see all the chapters showing so much spirit and enthusiasm,” freshman Alpha Epsilon Phi member Jamie Konigsburg said.
The skits included dancing, lip synching and a performance of “The Vagina Monologues.” Six judges from the Panhellenic Association and four judges from the IFC executive boards evaluated contestants. Performers were evaluated in several categories, including creativity and talent. The points awarded at skit night went toward the best fraternity or sorority award.
“I’m happy there is such a big turnout,” said junior Nora McAlvanah, a member of Sigma Kappa.
Other Greek Week events included the Opening Greek Games, A Night to Give Back and the Closing Greek Games/Night of the Gods. The theme of the week was “GW Jetsetters” because the events were held at different “around the world” theme locations each night, Fanitzi said.
Decisions of theme, scheduling and choice of events were made by the executive boards of the Panhellenic Association and the IFC.
“Greek Week is so popular because it is one of the only times when all fraternities and sororities get together and are able to have fun. We really feel like a Greek community during this week,” Stovall said.
