Event Date and Time: April 18, 2014, Doors open at 6:30 pm
Event Location: Student Rec Center
BACKGROUND
Delta Queen is the largest student run philanthropy that has been taking place at UCR since 2001. It is a philanthropy event put on by the fraternity of Delta Tau Delta. The motivation of Delta Queen has a very personal story behind it. This event was created when one of the fraternity brothers lost his battle with leukemia. Instead of focusing on the sadness, the brothers of Delta Tau Delta took action and found a cause that would meaningfully represent him. Since then all of the proceeds have gone directly to the Jeremy Harrison foundation (in his honor) and the City of Hope cancer research center. Throughout the years this philanthropy has raised over 250,000 dollars for cancer research!
DELTA QUEEN: A WAY OF LIFE
Each year, the Panhellenic and cultural sororities are invited to participate. They do so by electing a representative that will serve as their “queen” contestant. For instance, contestant Justine Sterling is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma so in January she was chosen by her chapter and became Miss KKG. However, Delta Queen Contestants host and participate in far more than just the actual event. Throughout all of winter quarter and into the first weeks of spring, each contestant hosts fundraisers and other events in order to raise money to donate to the fund. The fraternity itself also holds joint fundraisers such as a bowling night where all of the contestants and their supports can come and contribute. For the contestants there are weekly meetings and dance practices starting next quarter. There is also a huge joint event coming up on April 3rd at the VIBE where everyone can dress to impress for a club night in support of cancer research.
The actual event itself will be held on April 18th at the UCR Recreation Center. At the event each sorority will compete in a talent, skit and question/answer portion. There will also be a group dance with the brothers and contestants themselves. For the grand finale the prestigious Delta Queen will be crowned.
The 2014 Competing Organizations: Kappa Kappa Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Alpha Chi omega, Delta Gamma, Omega Zeta chi, Sigma Kappa and Sigma Pi Alpha.
“I think something really special about this group is our ability to work together. It’s great to see women from different organizations coming together for a great cause and actually getting along and becoming friends. Despite it being a competition, I will be pleased to see any one of them get crowned this year and I can’t wait for it to happen!” – Justine Sterling