Delta Delta Delta wins top prize in charity contest
Jillian’s was packed wall-to-wall with antsy students Tuesday night, all eager to witness an annual crowning moment in Fraternity and Sorority Life.
It was time for Sigma Chi fraternity’s Miss Venus pageant.
The pageant is part of Derby Days, the fraternity’s annual week of philanthropy events benefiting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Representatives from eight of USC’s 11 Panhellenic sororities catwalked, danced and lip-synched for the crown.
At the end of the night, Delta Delta Delta sorority’s Hannah Stroud walked away with the title of Miss Venus. Jackie Foster of Alpha Delta Pi sorority came in second place, with Kappa Delta sorority’s Rosie Jeffrey following in third.
Each participant partnered with a Sigma Chi pledge in performing the introduction dance and main skit, but stood alone when it came time for the question-and-answer portion.
To begin the night, each representative performed a short dance on stage. Contestants did everything they could think of to distinguish themselves from the competition. Jeffrey took the stage in roller skates with her partner close behind, purple Razor scooter in tow.
For the skit round, many contestants opted for a traditional lip-sync and dance, while others took to the mic themselves.
Stroud gave her own rendition of Sister Hazel’s 1997 hit “All for You,” while her partner pretended to strum a “Rock Band” guitar. Alpha Gamma Delta sorority’s contestant Jeanne Howe opted for a more contemporary piece. Brandishing a bubble gun, Howe rapped to Macklemore’s “Thrift Shop” while her partner sang the chorus. Katie Cole and Ida Garland, also of Alpha Gamma Delta, danced in the background and sprayed the crowd with Silly String.
Annie O’Connor of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority gave a stand-up comedy routine, in which a few Sigma Chi members were singled out.
The audience was subject to interference from many of the microphones used Wednesday. Technical difficulties forced Alpha Chi Omega sorority’s contestant Ashton Lee to redo her performance later in the show.
The final round was question and answer. Questions posed ranged from “What is the most embarrassing thing your parents have ever caught you doing?” to “Who have you had the biggest crush on during college?”
When asked the latter, Chi Omega sorority’s Hannah Barnett turned to the emcee and said, “Well, I guess now is a good time to tell you,” implying he was the object of her affection.
After the question-and-answer portion, judges, including Miss South Carolina Ali Rogers, began to deliberate. While scores were being tabulated, Sigma Chi members offered themselves up to the audience in the evening’s Brother Auction.
As one member stood on stage, another grabbed the microphone and said, “Please keep bidding. He’s my roommate, and I’ll have to hear about this all night.”
Proceeds from the Brother Auction totaled more than $1,000 according to Derby Days Chair Nathan Berenbrok.
“I didn’t realize that the girls would be willing to dish out that much money,” Berenbrok said. “They’ve truly been amazing throughout the week.”
All of the money raised will be donated to Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital, Columbia’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.
After the auction, the results were revealed. Contestants took the stage once more in hopes of being crowned, but only Stroud claimed the title.
“I had no idea I was going to win. I was a little nervous but way more excited,” Stroud said. “It’s so cool to win something that’s for the kids.”