The Ball State University greek community crowned a new Miss Greek on Saturday for the first time in two years.
Sorority cheers were sung, their chirps reverberated off of the walls and supportive signs were waved in the air all in the name of a favorite girl.
Sophomore nursing major Lisa Canary, a Delta Zeta representative, took the crown. Alpha Chi Omega's Krista Swaidner won first runner up and Kappa Delta's Tara Miller took second place. Sarah Johnson of the Phi Mu sorority won the Excitement Award, which was given to the girl who raised the most money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware County-an organization that matches youth from predominately single-parented homes with an older mentor that serves as a role model.
"Traditionally the event is more for the sororities, but we did have some changes this year," Sigma Nu President Dusty Pettit said.
The event raised $2,243.29 for the local branch of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Delaware County's branch has been established since 1971, but the organization has had to shut three Indiana sites down due to funding.
This year marked the first time the pageant was held in the Spring Semester, due to convenience for the Greek events and, Pettit said, there was a change as to how the girls were judged. Judges from the Theta Nu Alumni Association to facility coordinator of the L.A. Pittenger Student Center, stood on the panel for judging the best representative of Greek life at Ball State.
"She has to be in good standing with her sorority," Pettit said as he elaborated on entrance qualifications for the event. "Each of the sororities has the ability to enter three girls. They have to fill out an application and list their GPA, their involvement within their sorority, within their community and they have to answer why they want to be Miss Greek."
Christy Hamilton of Alpha Chi Omega held the title of Miss Greek from 2007 until Saturday.
"In the past this has been a position taken for fun," said Hamilton. "My challenge for the year was to do something positive with it."
Hamilton said she tried to get more involved with the whole greek community by helping with the greek magazine on campus and volunteering her talent of balloon animals at different greek events.
"It's a great opportunity," Hamilton said, "and an honor to be able to represent all the letters, not just my own."
With the title handed down to Canary on Saturday, the new Miss Greek said she sees opportunity within the tribute.
"It's an honor to be crowned Miss Greek," said Canary. "I feel like I can better the whole greek community through this and use this new honor to get out and lead by example."
WinnersMiss Greek: Lisa Canary, Delta ZetaFirst Runner Up: Krista Swaidner, Alpha Chi OmegaSecond place: Tara Miller, Kappa DeltaExcitement Award: Sarah Johnson, Phi Mu
JudgesGlenn Funkhouser: Theta Nu Alumni Association's treasurer Cara Luyster: The assistant director of Student Life Whitney Moody: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware County's Big Sister of the Year Charlie Scofield: The L.A. Pittenger Center's facility coordinator
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