Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. won Alpha Delta Pi’s Will You Be the Mane Event Talent Show after performing a step, stroll, and song medley on Monday, Oct. 20 in Sykes Theater.
The show featured individuals and organizations from the West Chester community performing various talents, including singing, playing instruments, and stepping and strolling. All of the performers showcased their talents in an engaging way, and got roaring applause from the full crowd in Sykes Theater.
All of the proceeds of event benefitted Alpha Delta Pi’s international philanthropy, Ronald McDonald House Charities. Ronald McDonald House Charities provides a home away from home for families with sick children across the country. For families with sick children receiving treatment at hospitals far from their homes, Ronald McDonald House Charities provides a place to stay and meals for little to no cost. There are more than 300 Ronald McDonald Houses across the globe.
The first act was Nick Cardillo, a brother of Pi Kappa Alpha, who performed a drum solo to “Let It Go” from Disney’s “Frozen.” The ladies of Chi Upsilon Sigma, National Latin Sorority, Inc. performed a combination of stepping and strolling. Melissa Walker, despite the death of her piano keyboard, recovered and sang “The World Spins Madly On” by The Weepies a capella. Aaron Rapinski and John Schmersal, brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon, sang an acoustic version of “Free Fallin’” by Tom Petty, and had much of the audience mouthing the words along with them. The brothers of Lambda Alpha Upsilon Fraternity Incorporated performed a stroll and song memorializing some of Michael Jackson’s greatest hits. Another student sang an inspiring rendition of “Feelin’ Good,” a song that represents how he overcame depression. Doug Meyers performed his own original song, which can be seen on the YouTube Series, The Red Bench Series. Finally to close out the show, the sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha performed their show-winning step, stroll, and song combination.
Lauren Grow and Tory Williamson of Alpha Delta Pi emceed the event and kept the crowd entertained between acts. Instead of a judging panel, the audience casted ballots to determine who was the Mane Event. While sisters of Alpha Delta Pi counted votes, a new a capella group, Under A Rest, performed three songs to entertain the crowd. Before the winner was announced, sisters of Alpha Delta Pi announced the winner of their raffle baskets, where amazingly, three people won twice.
Victoria Holt is a fourth-year student majoring in communication studies. She can be reached at VH758202@wcupa.edu.