Relay for Life: Greek perspective
By Danielle Cook ’17, Staff Writer
The College’s Greek organizations made some of the biggest contributions to LVC’s Relay for Life.
Each of LVC’s Greek chapters focuses on different charitable organizations, from Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital to Habitat for Humanity to College Readiness, but every year they all come together to raise money for the American Cancer Foundation.
Randi Shultz, a senior psychology and sociology major and president of Gamma Sigma Sigma, believes that her sorority’s dedication to Relay goes beyond being a service partner to the American Cancer Society.
“There are a lot of sisters that have been affected by cancer in some way shape or form,” Shultz said. “As a chapter, we try to support one another in any way we can.”
Many members of Greek life share Shultz’s beliefs, which contributed to their impressive fundraising. Gamma Sigma Sigma and Sigma Alpha Iota both raised over $1,300, and Alpha Sigma Tau won the award for highest fundraising team by collecting $4,769.67.
“I am very proud to be in Alpha Sigma Tau because of their connection with Relay for Life,” Megan Marron, a junior English major and secretary of Alpha Sigma Tau, said. “Our members take it upon themselves to raise money for the American Caner Society because it is an important cause that has an impact on all of us.”
But it’s not only sororities who contribute to the American Cancer Society. One of Relay’s recognizable traditions was actually started by Tau Kappa Epsilon.
“For the past 6 years, we’ve operated a jail at Relay in which attendees can pay to jail their friends for a designated amount of time,” Corey Kuchinsky, a senior accounting major and president of Tau Kappa Epsilon, said. “The tradition was adopted by alumni of our chapter after attending other Relay events. The money is donated to the cause.”
This year, Tau Kappa Epsilon raised $500 to donate, $200 of which came directly from the popular jail cell.
Not every Greek Life tradition is purely for fundraising, however. Relay for Life’s opening ceremony included a performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Sigma Alpha Iota, purely for inspiring hope and pride.
“[Our] singing the star spangled banner didn’t start until recently, like in the last year or so,” Aston Mooday, a junior music and music education major and the recording secretary of Sigma Alpha Iota, said. “I think the people in charge know it is our mission to inspire others through music so we were asked to do it.”
Greek life members who attended Relay was encouraged to wear their letters, both to show their pride for their organizations and to show other attendees that they were not alone in fighting against cancer. Caitlin Dryden, a junior politics major and the president of Phi Sigma Sigma, said that her sorority makes special letters for the event every year, though wearing them this year was a bit of a problem.
“Currently, we have a few sisters who are involved in setting up Relay and Colleges Against Cancer in general,” Dryden said. “Unfortunately, this year, we had some scheduling conflicts but are planning to work with CAC for a different fundraiser for Relay.”
Despite veteran members leaving and new members coming, LVC’s Greek Life hopes to continue having a large presence and making a large contribution to future Relay for Life events, so one day there will be a world without cancer.
D. COOK dec002@lvc.edu