Greeks
reflect on past year
By Kristen Wooley
On-line Forty-Niner
The
Greeks are winding down from a year full
of activities, claiming a break is definitely
in order.
“The summer is a nice break.” Lindsay Quirk,
president of Delta Gamma, said. “There are
no events planned for summer so it’s time
to relax and re-energize for next fall.
We don’t do as much in the spring, but we
have to get ready for Rush next semester.”
The year proved a success for the Greek
system, with highlight’s ranging from successful
philanthropy events, money raised for charity,
to the first statewide CSU Summit that was
honorably held at Cal State Long Beach.
“They’ve worked really hard this year raising
money for charities, participating in Homecoming
and Kaleidoscope and attending the big events
such as the CSU Summit and the first ever
Greek Retreat,” Jeff Klaus, Greek adviser,
said.
The semester ended with several houses having
their final formal dances of the year. Fraternity
Tau Kappa Epsilon had a weekend getaway
at Lake Havasu last weekend. President of
TKE, Kris Serrano, said the event was nationwide
and that his fraternity chapter as well
as TKE chapters across the nation held their
Red Carnation Ball at the same time.
“It was a great weekend,” Serrano said.
“Friday we spent the day partying by the
pools and in the river. Saturday we took
boats out and went jet skiing and wake boarding.
That night we had the formal sit down dinner
where everyone was dressed in suits and
ball gowns.”
He went onto say the night included a slide
show of the events that happened over the
year. After that, awards were given for
categories such as the “sweetheart” which
went to the female that helped out their
house the most during the semester and was
a good friend. There was dancing and partying
the rest of the night,” Serrano said.
One of the Greeks most important tasks for
each semester is to keep up with their work
for charity. Quirk said that the most significant
philanthropy her house did this semester
was the called “Anchor Splash,” which raised
$5,000 for a charity that aides the blind.
As volunteers, 12 members from TKE participated
in Long Beach Blast, that aides troubled
children that are at risk for failing out
of school.
“We were the only group on campus that participated
in that mentorship,” Serrano said. “Others
that were involved needed it as a requirement
for a teaching credential, so they were
really happy we did it on our own free time.”
So there is a lot of work planned for next
semester, fall for Greeks is the booming
time when each house chooses new members.
“We are working really hard with the Interfraternity
Council to get more promotion for Rush next
semester,” Serrano said. “The sororities
usually have around 300 to 400 girls trying
to rush. The fraternities had only about
130 for the whole year. We want to have
an all Greek party before next years’ Rush
to let people know what we’re about.”
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