Proceeds from the 2nd annual Greek Goddess philanthropy event will benefit two local sexual assault resource centers. It’s sponsored by the fraternity Delta Sigma Phi.
“We think we are doing more than what is expected of us,” said Joe Ciesinski, DSP’s engineered leadership chair. “Sororities are often more interested in (sexual assault prevention). We want to show that we aren’t just guys that are out there to party or have fun; we want to raise money and do more than what we are typically stereotyped as.”
Six sororities will each select one member to compete in three events at 8 p.m. tonight in the Chumash Auditorium. Lindsey Beaupre, a business senior and last year’s Greek Goddess winner, described the event as “probably one of my favorite experiences in college.”
“It was really positive for sorority relations and unity,” she added. “In fact I was nervous that it may be catty or really competitive but I have good friends to this day from (the event).”
In the Fashion Scramble, DSP members will stand on stage wearing only boxers as each woman selects outfits for them, Ciesinski said. The women will have one minute to dress their subject and the most creative outfit wins.
“Joe came out dressed in his boxers and I got to pick out a pile of really interesting clothes from Good Will, dress him up,” Beaupre said.
The Sports Challenge tests the womens’ athletic ability. The first to shoot a basketball, kick a soccer ball, throw a football, flip a flip cup and sink a root beer pong cup wins, Ciesinski said.
The final event is the Talent Show, where each woman has five minutes to show her skills and may be accompanied by three housemates.
“It’s probably the only philanthropy event that gives girls a chance to showcase some of their talents … It was just fun to see what the other houses brought out,” Beaupre said. “You had six other houses so you got a lot of variety – people singing, dancing and doing skits.”
A panel of judges will score the event including Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter Chuck Liddell, Associate Students Inc. president Angela Kramer, the directors of San Luis Obispo’s Sexual Assault and Recovery Prevention Center (SARP) and Sexual Assault Free Environment Resource Center (SAFER) and Channel 6 anchor and reporter Carina Corral. Matt Gaines of MG Sports Supplements will MC the event, Ciesinski said.
When marketing the event last year, DSP met some resistance when some sororities misinterpreted the event.
“Some houses weren’t a fan of it because they felt it was putting them in the spotlight and putting girls in front of a lot of people,” Ciesinski said. “It’s not that at all; it’s a friendly competition to raise money for a good cause.”
Sororities choose housemates that can set their shyness aside, come out of their shell and not be afraid to be funny, Beaupre said.
“Let’s be honest about it; nobody really wants to get up in front of 800 people and do some crazy events,” Ciesinksi said. “It takes somebody special, outgoing and fun that wants to represent their house and have fun at the same time.”
He described last year’s event as loud and crazy, an electric atmosphere. Ciesinski wants to duplicate that vibe by opening doors an hour before the competition begins so people can get excited, enjoy the disc jockey, drink some free Monster energy drinks and learn more about SARP and SAFER. There will be a raffle for Sigma Phi Epsilon member John Murphy, who is recovering from an accident this summer. DSP will also raffle off a Nintendo Wii and an iPod Shuffle.
DSP raised over $4,000 last year through ticket sales and donations. Ciesinski stressed that this year’s fundraising greatly impacts each center due to the current economic crunch.
SARP and SAFER will benefit from the event.
“Both centers have been affected by the current economic status and we are going to do our best to raise as much money for them as we can,” he said. “We want to let people know that there are resources out there that you can go to if you have been a victim of sexual assault.
Tickets can be purchased at the door for $7.