Greek community lip-synchs for charity

Jessica Lumpp

He danced in a whale costume. He frolicked across the stage in pink and white tights. He daintily spun his pink, sparkling umbrella. And he did it all in fewer than 10 minutes.

“By this time, it’s not the first time I’ve worn pink tights on stage,” Sigma Nu member Ray Campbell said.

He said he was afraid the packed audience would be able to see through the tights when the lights shined on them, but everything went according to plan.

Sigma Nu was the first-place fraternity and Alpha Phi took first among sororities Saturday night at the annual Delta Zeta Lip Sync philanthropy event in the Student Center Ballroom.

“It was a real honor to win because of the stiff competition,” Campbell said.

Chi Omega and Phi Sigma Kappa came in second place, and Delta Gamma and Alpha Epsilon Pi were third.

“I didn’t know at the end who was going to be the winner. Everyone was that good,” Delta Gamma member Cassie Sanford said.

She said they put a lot of work into their Michael Jackson-themed performance.

“We started practicing two weeks ago,” Sanford said. “Four times a week for about an hour.”

Everything from country to hip-hop was lip-synched by the 16 Greek organizations that performed choreographed routines.

“It’s near and dear to our hearts,” Delta Zeta member Lainie DeLuca said. “It goes to a great cause, and it’s entertaining at the same time.”

Proceeds from the event went to the Delta Zeta foundation, which contributes to Gallaudet University, the House Ear Institute, The Painted Turtle and the Starkey Hearing Foundation.

“We raised about $2,100,” said Brandy Alter, president of Delta Zeta.

More than $700 were raised by the $1 admission fee, and the rest was raised from donations from local businesses, she said.

“It’s funny to see the difference in the silly fraternities and the ones that just do insanely good,” Alter said.

The night ended with the winning groups receiving plaques or trophies presented by the Delta Zetas.

“I was very impressed by everyone’s effort,” Campbell said.

Contact Greek life reporter Jessica Lumpp at [email protected].