Today: Mar 28, 2024

Pageant raises money for Cystic Fibrosis

Sean Meenaghan — Photo Editor
Left to right: Wesley Boucher, representing the Honors College; Peter Romas, representing Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity.

Sarah Green Copy Editor
Students could sense the excitement in the room as Ashley Ishman and some of the other sisters of Delta Phi Epsilon threw giveaways, like Spring Fest T-shirts, into the audience to kick-off the fourth annual Deepher Dude.
Deepher Dude is a male mock beauty pageant organized by Delta Phi Epsilon each year to raise money for one of their main philanthropy organizations, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. This year, over $3,000 was raised for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
The 10 male participants opened the pageant by showing off their dance moves with a routine choreographed to a remix of songs including LMFAO’s “Sexy and I Know It” and DJ Khaled’s “All I Do is Win.”
Throughout the evening, the girls of Delta Phi Epsilon read facts about Cystic Fibrosis (CF), a chronic, life-threatening disease that causes the build-up of thick mucus in the lungs, digestive tract and other organs. Some of the contestants also paid tribute to those suffering from CF during the talent portion of the competition. John Eno, representing the Student Government Association, read the lyrics to the song “Breathe” by Matt Scales; Scales died at age 27 from CF.
“Being that it was my second year participating, it felt more rewarding to be there because I knew how important it is [to raise awareness about Cystic Fibrosis],” Eno said. “I knew how highly attended [the event] was. And it allows us to bring awareness to an organization that could use as much help [as possible].”
Jimi Mann, from the Volleyball Club, also honored a personal friend who was born with CF and was projected to lose the fight four years ago. Yet, Mann proudly said his friend is still fighting this debilitating illness to this day.
Other talents included a tap dance by Chris Carrion and lip-synching by Kyle Berg. Wesley Boucher, a freshman representing the Honors College, sang Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”
According to laughter from the crowd, by far the funniest talent of the night was Bob Benway’s reading of “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss. During the reading, Benway did impressions of Stanley F. Battle, former interim president; Chris Piscitelli, director of Judicial Affairs; Sal Rizza, assistant director of Student Life and last year’s Deepher Dude, Stefan Keller.
The contestants flaunted their style as well in all of the traditional pageant categories – sportswear, spirit wear and formal wear – though some of their outfits were less-than-traditional.
Andrew Carrion’s “fishing” sportswear, for example, included a makeshift fishing rod with a sock monkey attached to the hook, while his brother, Chris Carrion, brought back the 90s’ “Skip It” for his sportswear segment.
Furthermore, many of the males’ spirit wear featured unicorn pillow pals, and Peter Romas and David Langer truly got into the DPE spirit, cross-dressing in purple and gold skirts.
In the Question and Answer segment, the contestants answered questions ranging from “What is one thing you would change about yourself ?” to “Which would you rather have: money or happiness?”
When asked who his role model is, Southern News’ Paul Gramolini said, “Jesus Christ, because he dedicated his life to helping other people and didn’t leave anyone by the wayside.”
Hostesses for the pageant, Ryan Morgan and Stephanie Kahler, announced the highest fundraiser, David Langer, and the People’s Choice, Bob Benway. Langer raised $435 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the audience gathered $76 to select Benway as their choice.
Finally, it was time for the much-anticipated crowning of the 2012 Deepher Dude. Based on the collective vote from Eva Cyr, Eric LaCharity, and Laura McKay, last year’s Deepher Dude, Stefan Keller, passed on the purple robe and crown to Jimi Mann.
“This was my first time being a judge,” LaCharity said, adding that he really enjoyed serving as a judge for the event. “[The guys] were all very, very talented. I was entertained from start to finish. The sorority did a great job putting it together; it ran smoothly, and the guys were very creative in their outfits.”

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