Jene Thomas – General Assignment Reporter
The stage nearly collapsed as the fraternities and sororities of Southern Connecticut State University performed skits during the Greek Showcase on Thursday. The Greek Life Council event brought out the campus Greeks to introduce their respective social groups in hopes of recruiting future members.
Southern offers women the chance the join one of five sororities: Alpha Sigma Alpha, Delta Phi Epsilon, Omega Zeta Pi, Zeta Phi Beta, and Lambda Pi Upsilon. The men are offered Alpha Phi Delta, Beta Mu Sigma, Lambda Alpha Upsilon, Phi Beta Sigma, and Tau Kappa Epsilon.
Beta Mu Sigma and Omega Zeta Pi were founded on Southern’s campus in 2000 and 2004, respectively, being the only two local Greek organizations on campus.
Amber Serrano, a sister of Alpha Sigma Alpha, could not contain her enthusiasm for the showcase.
“It shows people all the different organizations at once instead of having to visit each one. I’m excited to see everyone that’s interested.”
At 8 p.m., both Greeks and non-Greeks stormed through to the Adanti Student Center ballroom to enjoy the evening’s festivities. Each organization created a performance that would show why students should join them and what they could offer. A panel of student life coordinators–Sal Rizza, Jenna Retort and Nikki Hutchinson–would judge each performance and ultimately decide two winners, one sorority and one fraternity.
After an introduction from the GLC President, Nicole Bairos, and the GLC executive board, the performances began, starting with a sorority rendition of the Wizard of Oz, performed by Omega Zeta Pi. The skit featured a lost girl looking to fit in, and finding others who were lost, thus following her down the baby pink road to OZP.
It seemed hard to follow that but the other Greeks definitely brought it. Beta gathered on the stage to sing a song that brought out the brotherhood sensation, Lean On Me. The crowd was more than happy to sing and clap along. APD was more eclectic, showing in their skit that the only way to go with them was up. It is unclear as to who was more confused, the audience or TKE, as they decided to do a skit about planning a skit.
One thing was made clear though: ASA definitely does not want to be seen as a “Mean Girls” kind of sorority. While imitating the teen comedy, they showed that their sisters were most about philanthropy and sisterhood than money and shopping.
The Divine Nine Greeks, also known as Multicultural organizations, took a different approach. Phi Beta Sigma strolled along side their sister counterpart, Zeta Phi Beta. During each performance, the only things that could be heard were the sounds of them strolling and their respective calls. They definitely brought the noise, and the stomps.
Though the crowd roared for each performance, it was the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority and the Lambda Alpha Upsilon fraternity who were crowned the winners of the Greek Showcase. Both organizations brought a unique style, combined with calls, steps and dance moves that moved both the audience and the judges.
The students were pumped and excited to experience the world of the Greeks. “I’m not rushing this semester, but it is nice to explore all of the organizations,” student Shakyra Murray said.
After the performances, the students were invited to learn about each individual organization and were separated into groups. Those who wanted to join a multicultural organization were called up first, and then followed by the others. Each fraternity and sorority was assigned a particular room. Once it was their turn, a specific group would enter that room and learn more about the organization.
The night ended with laughs and new friendships as Southern students were able to meet each other and the Greek community.
Photo Credit: Nicole Bairos
