SPORTS: Track Continues Success with Season ~ page 13
A&E: American Idol Recap ~ page 8
THE RAMAPO NEWS Kappa Sigma Brothers Get Groomed
A publication by the students for the Ramapo College community
THURSDAY, April 22, 2010
XL No. 22
Fraternity Raises Awareness By Buzzing and Waxing
By AMY FEZZA Staff Writer
Kappa Sigma fraternity opted to shave their heads for their third annual Buzz Away Cancer fundraiser to raise money and awareness. As an incentive to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, a member of the fraternity had his head shaved for every $40 that was raised during the threehour event. Since Kappa Sigma’s on-campus origin in 2007, the fraternity has been known for their philanthropic work. “Sometimes it’s hard to have a positive light on a fraternity, but we believe that this shows what we’re really all about,” said Joshua Shalikar, member of Kappa Sigma and co-creator of the event. By the end of the day, the Greek organization raised a total of $3,148.74. In Kappa Sigma’s three-year involvement, $5,500 has been raised for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. “I couldn’t have asked for more,” Shalikar said, in regard to the event’s success. On a cloudy Tuesday afternoon, Kappa Sigma’s event lured in friends, students and faculty to the Arch, as music blasted and Theta Phi Alpha girls sheared away at the boys’ heads. When this particular philanthropy started,
Theta Phi Alpha was willing to help cosponsor the event. “All of the money goes to a really good
the idea because of their personal experiences. “My mother was diagnosed with
photo courtesy of Mike Taussir
The brothers of Kappa Sigma waxed their chests each time $5 was donated. Above, Mike Taussi waxes his chest for a good cause.
cause. We all like to be involved and contribute to something like this. We teamed up with Kappa three years ago and we’re definitely going to continue this,” said Mandy Saffer, a member of Theta Phi Alpha. Shalikar and Tyler Kademian came up with
Lymphoma, but is now in remission. This is a chance for us to commemorate and honor people who go through something as terrible as this,” Shalikar said. The atmosphere surrounding the Ramapo Arch was lively; friends, students and pro-
fessors all wanted to get involved. “I support this cause and I enjoy watching brothers mutilate their heads for such a horrific disease,” senior Noah Dennison said. Friends of the fraternity took the opportunity to donate $5 to wax off any part of a brother’s body. “I was able to wax Brad Zuckerwise. I felt bad for him because no hair came off — he just felt pain. But that was fun,” sophomore Megan McHugh said. Waxing was a new addition to the event this year. Kappa brothers bit the bullet for the sake of raising a few extra dollars. “This is the first time I’m being waxed. The sharp pain I feel for that moment does not amount to the pain that everyone with this disease deals with,” Kappa Sigma brother Matt Hlavaty said. Throughout the event, brother Andrej Necaj delivered factual information regarding cancer-related issues. By doing so, he encouraged the crowd to gather even more people to donate. “Every four minutes, a person in the U.S. is diagnosed with Lung cancer,” Necaj said, while trying to present a shock to the audience. The levels on the buzzer were from 0-4,
Greeks Game and Unite for Greek Week By MARIS S A TORR Staff Writer
Greek Week has been truncated into two weekends this year, after administration complained that students were cutting class to attend events. Activities occurred last weekend, and more will occur this weekend. “Greek Week is a week that represents the four pillars of fraternity and sorority life: academics, service, leadership and brotherhood/sisterhood,” said Lindsay Ross, a senior member of Tri-Sigma. All of the events during Greek Week relate to each of the four pillars. The two weekends share a plethora of events with different aims. “All the organizations compete with one another during competitions and sporting events; however, some events, like the guest speaker Kevin Snyder, and the community service project, ‘Take the Walk,’ bring the Greek community together,” said Ross, .
Shà Quan Holmes, of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc., likes the feeling of brotherhood in his fraternity. This feeling is shared by many involved in the event. “I got involved because I wanted to be part of something that was bigger than myself,” said Jonathan N. Velez, a graduate assistant of Fraternity and Sorority Life. “I really took into their mission of breaking down social and cultural barriers on campuses, as well as the surrounding community.” Other events that bring Greek life together include an alumni barbeque and a Greek awards banquet. “Greek Week is a week filled with good hearted yet competitive activities between Greek life on campus. It brings the Greek community together as a whole,” Melissa Zak, a junior in tri-Sigma, said. Charlotte Rogers, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., sees Greek Week a bit differently. “[Greek Week] is battle ground for Greeks
photo courtesy of Melissa Zak
Melissa Zak, a junior in tri-Sigma, participated in Greek Week.
see BUZZ on page 6
on campus. It’s supposed to be a week filled with friendly competition and Greek unity, but it’s not. I believe that the competition is anything more than friendly,” Rogers said. Being in a sorority or fraternity isn’t just fun and games; each of the Greek organizations has a community service project that they must complete annually. Tri-Sigma’s philanthropy is the Robbie Page Memorial Fund. “The money goes toward local hospitals for children’s play therapy. It helps children in hospitals cope with their surrounding environment,” said Allison Balcof, a senior and secretary of tri-Sigma. “In all honestly, I cannot say there is anything negative to me personally about being in Tri-Sigma. My sisters have provided me with a great amount of confidence in a time in my life when I needed that most, and I have made bonds which are unlike any other
see GREEK on page 6