Welcome to fabulous Greek Week 2015

By Ryan, October 1, 2015

By Erika Esterline, Staff Writer//

While popularly known for being the week when the Lip Sync battle is, Greek Week is an annual event that pops up each September of philanthropy and camaraderie between Greek organizations. Each year, the Greeks try to mix things up a little. Madison Lewis, the Greek Week co-chair for Kappa Delta, explained some of the ways that Greek Week is different every year and some of the more consistent factors. “Each year there is always a new theme which keeps things fresh and fun,” said Lewis. “This year’s theme is ‘Las Vegas’ which I am very excited about. Many of the events we hold during Greek Week contribute to charities and benefit the area. For example, the blood drive is usually extremely successful. The winner of our Chili Cook Off will also choose a charity for that money to go to.”
Annual events include the revealing of the banner, Eat Like a Greek, Greek Olympics, Lip Sync Battle, the Blood Drive and the Chilli Cook Off. Eat like a Greek occurs during halftime at a sporting event each year and includes challenges like drinking a gallon of sweet tea. This year it was lowered to half a gallon, as quick as possible. The Lip Sync battle is one of the complex events requiring hours of rehearsal beforehand to make sure the teams consisting of one sorority and one fraternity all know where they are supposed to be and what they are to do during the performance on Saturday afternoon as part of the grand finale to Greek Week.
Teri Cugliari, director of Greek life, also has noticed the popularity of some of the annually recurring events, as well as how Greeks are able to help the community during the week. “The biggest impact is the donation from the Chili Cook Off. The winning team gets to pick a local nonprofit to donate the proceeds to,” Cugliari said.
The team selection is also something that is done in the same manner each year.
“Teams are selected at the Greeks Got Talent event held in the spring of the previous year,” Kat Johnson, Greek Week Chair for Alpha Chi Omega, said. “They draw by random what the teams will be, typically one sorority and one fraternity pairing together. It is really great because every organization is part of it.”
Johnson also notes that the process is extremely inclusive of all Greeks and is an opportunity for them all to work together. The randomization of selection allows the different Greek organizations to become more familiar with one another and make friendships within other houses.
Johnson also believes the team aspect of Greek Week is beneficial to the Greeks as individuals as well as to the Greek community as a whole.
“I think a little healthy competition is good because it keeps everyone on top of their game,” she said. “There are important lessons about being respectful and being a good team player because you don’t win on your own. You get points for respect, so you are seeing the best of organizations because they want to do the best for their teams. It is a good way for us all to do something as a group because during rush you are promoting your sorority or fraternity. but during this you are promoting Greek Life as a whole.”
Lewis noted that while Greek Week is an incredible experience for those already involved, it also could be beneficial for those who have thought about rushing but are not yet sure. “Aside from boosting morale amongst the Greeks, I think that Greek Week makes the HPU campus even more lively,” Lewis said. “We have fun competitions that anyone can watch and cheer for. It is also a fantastic way to showcase the good things we do for campus as well as motivate those who have not rushed to highly consider going Greek.”
Due to stereotypes generalizing Greek Life in an often negative light, Greek Week provides an opportunity for the organizations at High Point to show the campus and community what Greek Life is like here.
“Greek Week is my favorite week of the year because it brings us all closer as a sorority and as Greeks,” Lewis said. “It is important for us to keep up morale and show people what being Greek is really about – philanthropy, fun and a lifelong bond to one another.”
Greek Week has become a tradition on campus, one that allows a week of bonding, entertainment and especially a week to display what the Greek Organizations can make happen when they all work together.