Any girl can be Greek, but this Thursday, representatives from the six Panhellenic sororities at Binghamton University will be competing for the title of Miss Aphrodite.
The Miss Aphrodite event, which is set to take place from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Days Inn Ballroom at 65 Front St., has been an annual tradition in Greek Life for the past six years.
Each year, the ladies of Alpha Xi Delta sorority and the gentlemen of Delta Chi fraternity donate the money raised during the event to The V Foundation for Cancer Research and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for cancer research.
“This year I hope to break $1,000,” said Jimmy Quigley, a co-coordinator of the event from Delta Chi and a senior majoring in history. “I have high hopes. We already have about 640 people attending, and that’s just Greek Life alone.” Last year, the event brought in more than $500.
Quigley says that the show previously took place in the Mandela Room on campus, but was moved off campus last year because of construction. This year, organizers decided to keep the show off campus for a less restrictive atmosphere — especially since many students plan on celebrating Downtown after the show is over, Quigley said.
Tickets for the show will be on sale until Thursday in the New University Union from noon to 3 p.m. for $5, and at the door for $7. Raffle tickets will also be sold at these times.
Miss Aphrodite 2010 will be split into three sections: a talent or skit presentation, a toga competition and a question-and-answer session.
According to Natalie Ben-Yakar, co-coordinator from Alpha Xi Delta and a junior majoring in chemistry, the skits should be fun to watch.
Courtney Deyulio, a sophomore representing Delta Phi Epsilon sorority in the competition, sees this event as a good way to get people together for an important cause.
“This event is for a serious cause, but it is definitely so much fun, and I can’t wait for it,” she said. “Everyone gets so into it. I think that using fun events to raise money for charity is the perfect way to get people to participate.”
Deyulio will be competing against Ashley Edelsberg of Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority, Carley Santiago of Alpha Phi sorority, Katie Farrell of Alpha Xi Delta, Anna Yanovsky of Phi Sigma Sigma sorority and Lori Seidman of Sigma Delta Tau sorority.
The sororities have also been battling against each other through penny wars, where each sorority collects change to support their contestant. The sorority who collects the most money before the competition will receive an extra vote. So far more than $200 has been raised overall. These penny wars will continue in the New University Union until Wednesday.
Audience members can also look forward to a performance by the International Flag Dancers, a hired DJ and a raffle at the end of the night.
“A lot of people think that Greek Life is about partying, but one reason we are recognized is because we give back to the community,” Ben-Yakar said. “We all join forces, and it’s really fun.”
Although there is no prize for the sororities participating, the satisfaction of raising money for charity is what the organizers say motivates the students.
“This is probably the biggest philanthropy event all year for Greek Life,” Quigley said. “To be a part of this is just awesome.”