Greek Week entertains, raises money

Though in the past, the Hopkins Greek community has hosted a three-day long Greek Weekend, this year, seven days of events raised money for a variety of charities. Hopkins’ Greek Week began on Oct. 20 and will officially end with the Powderpuff game on Sunday, Nov. 4.

Events throughout the second half of last week included the Delta Xi Phi Multicultural Sorority Penny Wars, Pi Beta Phi’s I Love the 90’s Karaoke Night, Beta Theta Pi’s Cornhole Tournament, the Kappa Cook-Off, Alpha Phi Casino Night, President’s Day of Service and the Sigma Chi Trivia Night & Greek Week Happy Hour.

The Sorority Powderpuff Football game was postponed until Nov. 4 due to Hurricane Sandy.

While many of the events were free in order to educate Hopkins students about the different causes supported by Greek organizations, six of the events charged a $5 entrance fee, and a Greek Week Pass was sold for $20 for entrance to all of the events.

Many Greek Week participants have been preparing for Greek Week since the beginning of the school year.

Kappa Kappa Gamma began planning for the Kappa Cook-Off, which was held on Oct. 26, by the third week of September.

“Hard work was put in by all, especially our philanthropy chair Hannah Decatur,” Kappa Panhellenic Chair Zoe Kaiser wrote in an email to The News-Letter. “The event could not have happened without people like Rachel Drennen and many sisters who graciously volunteered their time and effort, such as our President Becca Rosen and Executive Board Member Chelsey White.”

The Kappa Cook-Off hosts a competition between different fraternities and sororities, in which students vote for the best dish.

“We are very happy to put on our barbecue every year because it’s usually very popular and students can showcase their great baking and cooking skills,” Kaiser wrote.

This year, approximately 300 people attended the Kappa Cook-Off. The attendance was similar to attendance in previous years.

Overall, the Kappa Cook-Off raised $330 from entrance fees and approximately $800 from Greek Week Passes. All proceeds raised go toward the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation.

On Friday night, Alpha Phi hosted Casino Night in the Charles Common Ballroom. All proceeds went toward the Alpha Phi Foundation. The event included a variety of casino games, such as blackjack and poker.

While events, such as Alpha Phi Casino Night and Kappa Cook-Off, have been held in the past, other events, such as the Beta Theta Pi Cornhole Tournament were new to Greek Week this year. The Cornhole Tournament occurred simultaneously with the Kappa Cook-Off, encouraging students to attend both events. 35 teams participated in the Cornhole Tournament, raising $250 for the Wounded Warrior Project.

“We look to build this event up and make it larger in the years to come,” Junior Matthew Jorgensen wrote in an email to The News-Letter.