By Abigail Loop
Reporter
Baylor fraternity members are about to walk down the catwalk for breast cancer awareness.
The Baylor sorority Zeta Tau Alpha will host Big Man on Campus at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Barfield Drawing Room located in the Bill Daniel Student Center. The event will include a pageant with participants made up of members in different Baylor fraternities, all while raising awareness of breast cancer, the philanthropic cause of Zeta Tau Alpha. The money that is raised from the event will go toward the Zeta Tau Alpha foundation, which benefits breast cancer awareness and education.
“The pageant will have four rounds, with each round incorporating a sign of support for breast cancer awareness,” said Scottsdale, Ariz., senior Lauren Crofford, a fundraiser chairperson for Zeta Tau Alpha.
Participants will compete in a yogurt eating contest, where the lids of the yogurt will go to the Yoplait “Save Lids to Save Lives” campaign. For every lid that is saved, Yoplait will give 10 cents to breast cancer research and funding. There will also be frat wear and evening wear rounds, where participants answer interview questions and get extra points for incorporating pink into their outfit. Pink Out will be another round, where participants have to come up with pick-up lines and get points by referencing breast cancer awareness.
“We are going to have actual breast cancer survivors be judges of the four rounds,” Crofford said. “We’ll have all frats participating and it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
While the goal of the event is to raise awareness of breast cancer, fraternity members have the chance to win prizes by participating.
“The first-place winner will get a crown and sash and a $100 Visa gift card,” said San Antonio junior Kelsey Mann, director of philanthropy for Zeta Tau Alpha. “Mr. Congeniality will win a $50 gift card.”
Mann said this year will be the second time Big Man on Campus has been held and this year, Zeta Tau Alpha is expecting more people to attend.
Mann said the money that is raised will go toward the Zeta Tau Alpha foundation, which benefits breast cancer awareness and education.
“Last year was a big success and we just want to spread awareness,” Mann said. “It’s open to everyone. Tickets and T-shirts will be on sale before Wednesday at the dining halls and the SUB. It’ll be $5 there and $7 at the door on the day of the event.”
Waco junior Savannah Diedrich, a philanthropy chair for Zeta Tau Alpha, said she hopes that one day, the fundraisers and events that Zeta Tau Alpha does for their philanthropy will not be necessary.
“I hope that one day that breast cancer awareness won’t be our philanthropy because a cure will be discovered,” Diedrich said. “People need to know that this is such a national thing. One in eight people are affected and most people know someone who is.”
In addition to Big Man on Campus, the sorority has other upcoming activities planned to raise awareness of breast cancer.
“Right now, October is breast cancer awareness month,” Crofford said. “Besides Big Man on Campus, we’re passing out pink ribbons, we’re participating in Race for the Cure and Relay for Life and in the spring we’re organizing a golf tournament for breast cancer awareness. It’s great because we want people to see this and be aware.”
