The “jailbirds” of Alpha Phi’s 16th annual Jail N’ Bail event are instructed on the challenges they will face
in hopes of a winning opportunity to get bailed out. (From left): Kyle Yoo (Zeta Beta Tau), Matthew Given
(men’s crew), Alex Ross (Pi Kappa Alpha), Mack Freedman (Delta Tau Delta), and Marko Bezbradica (men’s crew).
Alpha Phi’s Jail N’ Bail
BOSTON- Eighteen Boston University students were “arrested” on Wednesday without hope of being released until their bail was posted. Fortunately, it was all for a good cause. In black dresses and sequined headbands, the members of Boston University’s Alpha Phi social sorority raised more than $5,000 for the American Heart Association at their annual Jail N’ Bail event at the Holiday Inn in Brookline, Mass. “Any day an Alpha Phi wants to arrest me, she can,” said jailbird Alex Ross of Pi Kappa Alpha, a participating fraternity, “I won’t put up a fight.” Leaders of various campus organizations were consensually kidnapped, then dressed in Magic Marker tattoos and orange jumpsuits, preparing them to spend the night behind bars. The jailbirds were led into the event one by one, where they participated in challenges for opportunities to be bailed out by members of their organizations. “The philanthropic concept behind Jail N’ Bail is so original,” said Panhellenic president Linda
Swift, “It’s always a great night and everyone has The second round was a hat toss. Contestants, an amazing time.” Although the idea of Jail N’ Bail three at a time, flung cowboy hats across the dance was brought to Boston floor, in an attempt to land University by Alpha Phi, them on the heads of the the Jail N’ Bail concept has waiting Alpha Phis. been widely used by other Four remaining contestants fundraising organizations. were paired off to sit on the The first round of floor, back-to-back, with competition was Alpha their arms bound together. Phi trivia. Prisoners were Their challenge was to be given a note card, while the first pair to stand up. Chrissy Gerardi, head of Interfraternity Council (IFC) Alpha Phi’s philanthropic president Patrick Moriarty, affairs, read questions and James Osterstock, a such as, “What are Alpha Kappa Sigma representative, Phi’s colors?”, and “Who is won this challenge and the current president of Beaded Alpha Phi decor covered the were bailed out by their Alpha Phi?” Contestants ballroom of the Brookline Holiday Inn. organizations. That left Marko wrote their answers and Bezbradica from the B. U. crew sprinted across the dance floor, attempting to be the team and Brittany Culpepper from Sigma Kappa first put their answer cards on the table. sorority still in prison.
The final challenge was to lasso Kelsey Donahue, the president of Alpha Phi. It took Bezbradica four tries, but only two for Culpepper. “I was a little embarrassed being the lone ranger waiting to get bailed out,” said Bezbradica, “But this is my second year in a row representing the crew team and, first or last, I always have fun.” Once Culpepper and Bezbradica were bailed out, the party began, with an evening of dancing, drinks at the bar, raffle prizes, a photo booth, and music provided by DJ Max Bangz. The girls of Alpha Phi put a twist on the night when they announced that the organization raising the most money that night would win $300 to donate to their favorite charity. Members of Pi Kappa Alpha were tops with $450, which they plan to donate to the Children’s Glaucoma Foundation. Brad Castronovo of Pi Kappa Alpha said, “Any time we can have fun and raise money for charity is a win-win situation we want to be a part of, and Alpha Phi always manages to make that happen.”
Photos and Story By Mackenzie Wiler
Alpha Phi member Rachael Leib (left) readies herself as Interfraternity Council president Patrick Moriarty tosses a
After all the “jailbirds” had been released, Alpha Phi’s danced-around fellow member Madelin Goodwin.
cowboy hat0, in his first attempt to place it on Leib’s head during the hat toss challenge. It took the pair three tries.
Kyle Yoo of Zeta Beta Tau (left) gets his trivia answer to the table first during the first challenge of the
Chrissy Gerardi, Alpha Phi’s philanthropy president, introduced the “jailbirds” to the crowd.
night, as Marko Bezbradica of the men’s crew team and Steph Herman of Alpha Epsilon Phi follow.