Sigma Chi philanthropy scheduled for this week

Derby Days is a nationwide philanthropy event hosted by Sigma Chi Fraternity members, and at USM it is being held this week. It is a weeklong event that goes to proceed the charity of each chapter’s choice. The Theta Delta chapter of Sigma Chi at the University of Southern Mississippi donates funds collected throughout the week to Children’s Miracle Network.

The closest Children’s Miracle Network is located in Jackson at the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children.

“It is a week of fun filled activities; our overall goal is to become big contributors to the Children’s Miracle Network in Mississippi,” said Zach Kulzer, chairman of this year’s Derby Days festivities.

When asked about the theme, Kulzer says it’s all fun and games.

“Each year we, as a chapter, decide on a theme that hasn’t been used at all, or at least in a little while.”

Each sorority on USM’s campus participates in Derby Days festivities. Along with the traditional sorority involvement, active members of Sigma Chi participate in what is called a “brother auction,” in which sororities bid on their favorite Sigma Chis to participate with them in the annual Derby Days dance competition.

Events will take place Monday through Friday of this week. Each day this week, sororities will vie for the Derby Hat by receiving a clue each morning that will be posted at the Sigma Chi house. Sororities are known to search high and low all week—lacking in their routine sleep and studying schedules—to find the coveted hat.

Last night there was a profit share at Caliente Grille along with the brother auction at the Sigma Chi house.

Tuesday night will be the sorority karaoke competition at the Sigma Chi house. Sorority member are known to dress up as different Sigma Chi’s while making fun of them through different songs. After the karaoke competition, sororities will be judged based on signs painted throughout the week with the Derby Days theme.

On Wednesday, sorority and fraternity members will take a trip to Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children for a tour of the hospital where they will spend time with terminally ill children.

On Thursday, the Sigma Chis will hold Derby Darling interviews at the Sigma Chi house. The Derby Darling is usually a Greek woman who will positively represent the fraternity in some way.

Friday is the most exciting day of the week for sorority members because girls have the chance to showcase the hard work they have put into the dance competition, which will be held at Pride Field.

When the week’s festivities are all said and done, a benefit concert at the Frat House will be held, featuring 17th Floor as entertainment.