Greek Week Sweet Sixteen
Published April 16, 2009
Charlie Hart
Charlie Hart, a convergence journalism major from Clearwater Beach, Fla., did something his freshman year that some people never find the strength do. He performed in the skit as a Kappa Alpha Order pledge.
"I was strongly coerced into trying out for the skit with the guys in the house encouraging me to do it," Hart said. "It was scary and nerve-wracking but definitely growth-oriented."
In addition to Greek Week, Hart has also been involved in Homecoming.
"Both events are a tremendous amount of community service," Hart said. "Everyone is so supportive. During Homecoming, the floats, parade and stuff is fantastic."
As the end of Hart's college career draws nearer, he is waiting to hear back from several job opportunities.
"I am nervous, excited and scared all at the same time. I know graduation is coming, I just don't want to face it," Hart said.
Christy Garofalo
When Kappa Delta Christy Garofalo looks back at her time at MU, one freshman tradition comes to mind: painting the rock "M" at Faurot Field.
"My favorite memory of MU was during recruitment freshman year on bid day and we went to go paint the M," Garofalo said. "I was interviewed by Fox Sports Network and that was really exciting because I'm a huge sports fanatic. It was very exciting,"
Garogalo's memories of MU are full of Greek events, including this year's Greek Week preparation.
"My favorite memory was when we were canning on the Thursday after spring break," she said. "It was cold and rainy but it was really fun."
Another significant memory for Garofalo is the annual blood drive. Garofalo's sister was a recipient.
"It is really cool to see all the volunteers and people willing to donate," Garofalo said. "I go every eight weeks and it's a big thing for me."
This summer she will be interning at PricewaterhouseCoopers as part of her accountancy major. She will be attending graduate school at MU next year.
Erin Cover
When Pi Beta Phi Erin Cover arrived at MU from her home state of Arizona, she did not know anyone. Her first instinct for making friends? Go Greek.
"I did it because I didn't know anyone," Cover said. "I was hesitant at first because I didn't want it to get in the way academically but it helped me, not hindered me."
In fact, Cover even became the academics and enrichment chair for Pi Beta Phi.
Her resume in Greek life does not stop there, however.
"Last year I was on the steering committee for Greek Week and that's where I saw the importance of it."
As royalty for Greek Week this year, she said that the best part is getting to meet the people for whom they raise money.
Cover feels that an important part of being Greek is the bonds within the community that can last beyond graduation.
George Scholtz
When George Scholtz arrived at MU his freshman year, he wasn't sure if Greek Life was for him. Now, he is a active member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and loves it.
"I didn't join a fraternity until second semester freshman year and after getting to know more about Greek Life and Pi Kap, I knew that I definitely valued the big opportunities it offered in academics, sports and community service," Scholtz said.
Scholtz's involvement in Pi Kappa Phi included being vice president of recruitment.
He said that getting involved was a great opportunity to make friends. "Walkout with my fraternity to Memphis was great. Even the whole initiation process was really fun," he said.
After graduation, Scholtz plans to either get a job or go to graduate school. "I am interviewing with some companies and am anxious to hear back," he said.
Jean Horan
One of Alpha Chi Omega member Jean Horan's favorite parts of Greek Week is the dancing.
"I've always been a really big dancer and involved in dance in general," Horan said. "Greek Week and productions are fun because you get to see the creative side and what all the houses come up with."
Horan is a physical therapy major and business minor from O'Fallon, Ill., and was accepted into the MU graduate program for physical therapy upon the completion of her undergraduate degree. During college she held a variety of leadership roles including 2008 Panhellenic Association vice president of risk management, 2007 Alpha Chi Omega vice president of intellectual development and Griffith's Leadership Society for Women. She won the Mizzou 39 and 2008 PHA Woman of the Year award as well.
Horan said she's going to miss the opportunity for fun, random memories Greek life provided her.
"Meeting so many people through the opportunities Greek Life provides has not only made Mizzou smaller, it's made it home," she said.
Samantha Noll
Samantha Noll of Delta Delta Delta sorority is trying to spend as much time as possible with her pledge sisters as the year draws to a close, and she's thinking a lot about the beginning as she nears to end.
"For being new to Greek Week when I was a freshman, it was an awesome experience to be apart of the team that won Greek Week football."
Noll is a chemistry major from St. Louis who will be attending the MU School of Medicine next year with an open mind as to what field upon which she would like to focus. She works at the University Hospital and the School of Medicine.
Noll has been a member of the women's lacrosse team and is an American Cancer Society volunteer.
Pat O'Mara
Pat O'Mara was a skit director multiple times, but he said one Greek Week memory that stands out in his mind was his sophomore year working with Kappa Alpha Theta and Phi Kappa Theta.
"We got first place in skits and first place in games," O'Mara said. "The other skit directors and myself were given awards for best director."
He said being nominated by his fraternity Beta Sigma Psi was both exciting and an honor.
"I didn't expect it," he said. "I was excited about everyone else who was on it because they're really great people. I appreciated the honor."
O'Mara is a marketing major from Ballwin, Mo. who is looking for a job in sales. He said he is going to miss the Greek community when he leaves.
"I'll miss the friendships," O'Mara said. "I'll miss seeing those people on a daily basis. I'll also miss the community feeling."
Mike Steinlage
Even after studying abroad in Spain, skit directing for three years and doing various volunteer work, Pi Kappa Alpha member Mike Steinlage still considers himself to be somewhat of a black sheep in the royalty group.
"I feel that some of the other people have done so much," he said.
Steinlage describes his first time skit directing as a shock.
"It seems so small just calling it skit, but all the work that goes into acting, directing, writing the scripts, making the props and everything involved really taught me a lot about prioritizing stuff and time management."
He said being an upperclassmen and interacting with other people in charge taught him that Greek Life is a community rather than a competition between houses.
Steinlage is an environmental science and Spanish double major from St. Louis who plans to go to law school to study environmental law.
Alex Ferrell
Greek Week royalty candidate Alex Ferrell, a chemical engineering major from Carthage, boasts an impressive resume of campus involvement.
In addition to her participation on various committees for her sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta, Ferrell has been on the steering committees for Homecoming, Rockin' Against Multiple Sclerosis and Engineers' Week. She is also a member of two secret societies on campus, QEBH and Omicron Delta Kappa.
Ferrell said she was excited to participate in Greek Week as a royalty candidate.
"I was at the blood drive for 15 hours," Ferrell said. "I was able to talk to people coming in and catch up, while supporting a good cause."
Although she enjoyed the blood drive, Ferrell said her favorite activities during Greek Week are the games. "A lot of people are really involved athletically in high school but not so much on the collegiate level," Ferrell said. "You get to see people's hidden talents."
Jenna King
"People say you pay for your friends, but it's the best money I've ever spent," Sweet Sixteen candidate Jenna King said about her sorority fees.
King, a strategic communications major from Blue Springs, said she has met her best friends through her sorority, Pi Beta Phi. She enjoys being Greek because of the interactions with people and organizational opportunities that the Greek community presents.
Her junior year, King was the new member coordinator for her chapter. She has also been a Pi Chi, who leads potential sorority members through the recruitment process, and a new Greek education leader.
King said she enjoys all the special events that Greek Week hosts, and is planning to run the 5K this year as she has done in the past.
"I've always wanted to win it," King said. "But that dream is dying this year. I won't lie ... I'm a little out of shape this semester."
Alex Ricke
Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity member Alex Ricke said he appreciated being recognized as a royalty candidate because of his active involvement in the Greek community.
"I really poured my heart and soul into my fraternity," Ricke said.
A strategic communications major from Kirkwood, Ricke has been involved in Greek Life at both the chapter and community level. He is especially proud of his past role as his chapter's philanthropy chairman.
During his time as chairman, Ricke said his fraternity had the most participation out of any philanthropy on campus.
Community service is also Ricke's favorite aspect of Greek Week.
"I love hearing how thankful all the beneficiaries were," Ricke said. "Some were crying because the money was going to keep them from going broke this year. That really makes me proud because I think you hear negative things about the Greek community, but I couldn't care less when I see people being affected by my actions."
Max Samis
Candidate Max Samis is a secondary education major from Chesterfield.
"I really hadn't expected to make it," the Alpha Epsilon Pi member said about his selection for the Sweet Sixteen. "It was definitely an honor."
As a former Fling director, Samis said his personal favorite part of Greek Week has always been Fling. He said Fling is one of the best ways to get to know members of other chapters, and it is fun to see all the houses support each other on performance nights.
Samis has also served as his chapter's Homecoming liaison and was a tri-director for the College of Education Ambassadors.
The brotherhood that fraternities provide is Samis' favorite part of being Greek.
"You can always rely on someone and know your brothers are going to be there for you," Samis said of his fraternity. "No matter where you are in the world, you will always have that connection."
Ashley Reed
Ashley Reed is going to make Girl Scouts cool again. The senior from Foley, who is majoring in political science and sociology, hopes to eventually work in events planning for the Girl Scout Council of St. Louis.
"Girl Scouts have contributed a lot to my life," she said. "I've been involved for 17 or 18 years."
Reed's proudest moment as a Phi Mu sorority member was when her little sister won an award in 2007 after being nominated by Reed.
"It was really cool to see someone I've mentored win something for herself," she said.
Reed said if she becomes queen, she would serve as an inspiration for all Greek students.
"I represent a good, well rounded Greek student. It would show that you don't have to be the president of your sorority in order to be successful," she said.
Kelley LeVine
For Kelley LeVine, a secondary and middle-school education major for St. Louis, participating in Greek life means more than just being in a sorority.
"All the things that I've done I've found out about because of my sorority," she said, citing involvement in
Greek Week Steering Committee, tour team, sorority recruitment and new member education among her other activities.
In the future, LeVine plans to go to graduate school for school counseling, then find a job somewhere in the U.S.
"I'll probably start by teaching, then progress into counseling," she said.
If she wins, LeVine, a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority, plans to use her status as queen to promote the benefits of Greek life.
"I just feel like all of the activities I have done have made me a better person and made me enjoy Mizzou more," she said. "I would show other people that you can do all of these things as a result of being Greek."
Mitch May
Mitch May, a mechanical engineering major from Ballwin, thinks that Greeks can do anything.
"Whenever we put our minds to do something to make the community better, we are always able to do that. Greeks can do a lot for the community," he said.
May, a member of Phi Kappa Theta fraternity, said his favorite part of Greek Week is the sports competitions.
"The sports are so competitive and everyone gets into it and is so passionate about the games," he said. "It's just really exciting."
After graduation, May plans to move to Kansas City and work for two or three years, then consider the possibility of earning a master's of business administration or master's degree in engineering.
Shawn Sahota
Shawn Sahota, a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, said that to him, being crowned Greek Week king is a symbol of a person's accomplishments.
"If you strive to do great things for the institution and the community, you will be rewarded, as well," Sahota said.
Among Sahota's accomplishments is his role as 2008 rush chairman.
"I signed the current freshman class, so it was pretty rewarding to bring them in and see them grow
throughout the year," Sahota said.
Sahota is also a successful student, majoring in biology and economics, with a minor in psychology. After graduation, Sahota, who is from Columbia, plans to attend medical school, most likely at MU. Although he is unsure of what field he wants to pursue, he is leaning towards a surgical field, particularly orthopedics.
