By Brooke Bailey
Reporter

The war begins Monday, when eleven sororities will compete against each other in hopes of winning $250 for the winner’s philanthropy of choice. The week-long competition, known as War of the Roses, is sponsored by Pi Kappa Phi fraternity to raise money for Push America and the Arc of McLennan County. Both organizations aim to increase volunteerism and fundraising to help people with disabilities.

Sororities will participate in various activities Monday through Thursday to earn points in the competition. Points are earned by collecting donations of change and winning team competitions. One dollar is equivalent to a point.

Each team earns 50 points for participating in the activities. First place receives 125 points, second place, 75 and third place, 50.

Houston sophomore Howard Chang, a philanthropy chair of Pi Kappa Phi, said the competition is unique at Baylor.

“It’s a lot of fun to watch, and frankly, there’s nothing like it on Baylor’s campus,” Chang said.

Pi Kappa Phi fraternity members will be riding stationary bikes for 24 hours starting 8 a.m. Monday at Fountain Mall. During this time, people are encouraged to stop by and donate money to Push America. Push America is Pi Kappa Phi’s national philanthropy. The organization works closely with the fraternity to serve people with disabilities.

Donations will go into designated buckets representing each sorority.

Change placed in the bucket equals positive points for the groups, but dollar bills and checks result in negative points.

The first chance to donate is at Monday’s event, but buckets will be present at all of the events through Thursday.

In teams of six, sorority members will compete from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday at Fountain Mall in a tug-of-war competition, a cake decorating contest, an inflatable jousting tournament and a relay race.

The war continues 6-10 p.m. Wednesday at Russell Gym with wheelchair basketball.

The winner of the competition will be announced at the final event at 7-9 p.m. Thursday at Bear Park.

Final activities will include a crawfish boil, sand volleyball and a dunk tank.

Baylor and Pi Kappa Phi alum David Dulcie will also perform with his band in a two hour concert.

Dulcie, who was involved with Uproar Records, graduated in 2012.

San Antonio sophomore Kelsey Mann is Zeta Tau Alpha’s director of philanthropy.

“I’m participating because I think their philanthropy is a great cause,” Mann said. “We get to show our sorority’s passion to help others, too.”

The sorority with the most points will win the war and receive $250 for their philanthropy and a 4-foot-tall trophy with the organization’s name engraved on it. The second place winner will receive $100, and third, $50.

Chang said the event provides an opportunity for everyone to have fun and help raise money. The events throughout the week are free to attend and open to the public.

“I encourage people to come, support their friends and donate to the buckets,” he said.

Last year, Alpha Delta Pi was the winning sorority, taking home $196 for their philanthropy Ronald McDonald House Charities. The first-time event raised $4,000 for Push America. Chang said this year, the goal is $20,000.

“With more sponsor support this year, we were able to make the event a lot bigger,” Chang said.

Increased sorority participation, inflatable jousting and Thursday’s celebration are all new, distinguishing this event from last year’s.

More information about War of the Roses can be found on the event’s Facebook page, “Pi Kapp’s War of the Roses.”