Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity Hosts Annual “Monmouth’s Got Talent” Greek Event in Pollak Theatre
Phi Kappa Psi (Phi Si) fraternity hosted “Monmouth’s Got Talent,” their annual Greek event, this past Wednesday, Feb. 19, in Pollak Theatre at 10 pm. The event was held to help raise over $2,000 for their national philanthropy, the Boys and Girls Club of America.
According to BCCA.org, the Boys and Girls Club of America are programs for the young youth to help create opportunities for the future. They are used to help young children develop leadership skills and also to help them set positive goals for their future. The brothers of Phi Psi were able to raise a lot of money to donate to these programs to help benefit these children.
There was a total of 16 participants but 11 acts overall. The show was run like a talent show where each act stepped out onto the stage and performed their special talents. Many of the acts were singers but, some danced, and even rapped for the audience.
The first place prize went to Courtney Carr, a junior radio/TV student, who performed a singing and dancing medley that blew the judges and audience away. Second place went to Andrew Boxman, a junior studying music industy, who performed a free style rap. The third place price was given to a singing group from Alpha Kappa Psi (AKPsi) who performed an acoustic version of Train’s “Drops of Jupiter.”
Elizabeth O’Brien, chapter advisor of Phi Psi, said, “The chapter worked really hard on having an assortment of performers so that they could have a variety of students in attendance and this really paid off… The men of Phi Kappa Psi were proud to share their Founder’s Day with hosting a great philanthropy event that they hope to continue next year.”
The show was hosted by Matt Cox, a brother of Phi Psi, and Megan Van Tine, a sister of Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA).
Kyle Walter, President of Phi Kappa Psi, said, “Overall I thought it was a pretty good turnout. Pretty much every Greek organization was there and Pollak was pretty full. I was really pleased with how everything turned out. We raised a lot of money to help out the Boys and Girls Club and we had a really fun time setting up the event and running it.”
Lauren Santimauro, sister of Alpha Xi Delta (AXiD), was an audience member that night said, “It was extremely organized and there was a lot of talent on stage that made the event memorable and enjoyable.”
There were also many vendors who sponsored the event. The brothers received donations from Bagel Guys Deli, Surf Taco and Verizon Wireless. The fraternity used most of the donations towards the prizes for the winners of the events.
Matt Fernandez, Philanthropy Chair of Phi Psi, said, “The turnout was amazing. We were able to attract not only those in Greek Life but athletes, students, families, friends, and even some faculty showed up to support us too.”
Fernandez said there was approximately two weeks of time put into setting up the event, which included finding student talent, reserving microphones, setting up their fraternity’s DJ, filling out the necessary paperwork, organizing acts appropriately, and scouting co-hosts and Greek and non-Greek life judges.
John Buchalski, Assistant Director of Student Activities for Fraternity and Sorority Life, also attended the event and believed it was a total success. Buchalski said, “I think Phi Psi’s event went very well. There was a great turn out and plenty of talent on the stage. It was exciting to see that several acts from non-affiliated members, it broadened the reach of the event.”
PHOTO TAKEN by Nicole Napholz
