Bust A Grind Became Bust A Success
This year’s Sigma Delta Tau Greek Grind coordinator, Lauren Siegel, called October
16, 2013 “the best night of my life”. And it was just that for her, Mara Steine, SDT’s
Vice President of Philanthropy and Panhellinic, and Sarah Hirsch, SDT President.
These three hardworking ladies put together the ninth and most successful SDT
Greek Grind in the philanthropy’s history.
This year’s theme was “Bust A Grind” and each dance had to incorporate eighties
elements through their music, dance moves, or costumes.
Through percentage nights, generous sponsors, ticket sales for the actual event held
at the Classic Center and the live streaming at Jerzees, and T-shirt sales, Sigma Delta
Tau raised a total of $56,000 for Prevent Child Abuse America. PCAA’s mission is to
prevent the abuse and neglect of our nation’s children. The president and CEO of
PCAA, Jim Hmurovich, even travelled to Athens for the event and was given the
opportunity to host the dance competition.
Along with Jim Hmurovich, the judges panel also included: John Bateman, Director
of Marketing for UGA Athletics, Mark Fox, UGA Men’s Basketball coach, Pierce
Persons, President of UGA Panhellinic Council, Amarlo Herrera, UGA linebacker,
Malcolm Mitchell, UGA wide receiver, Allison Hayn, Director of Dance FX, and Kohler
Brafford, President of Sigma Pi fraternity. Rance Nix, one of the most recognizable
students on University of Georgia’s campus, hosted the event.
The event started with a personalized video from country music singer and past
judge, Corey Smith. He welcomed the thousands of excited guests to the event by
explaining the importance of PCAA, wished all the dancers good luck, and even gave
a shout out to Lauren Siegel. The boys’ dance, which consisted of one boy chosen
from each sorority, otherwise known as G Cubed Swag, began the entertainment and
pumped up the crowd. During intermission, the dancers of popular Athens’ dance
studio, Dance FX, performed a technical jazz dance. As the competition wrapped up,
SDT performed their routine and wowed the audience with their shirts that lit up.
Every sorority girl sat on the edge of her seat, eager to find out the results. Each
sorority was extremely qualified to win after much hard work, dedication, and
numerous hours were clearly put into their dances. Final scores were based off the
total dance points and spirit points.
Alpha Delta Pi took home the first place title and $1,000 towards their philanthropy.
Sigma Kappa, last year’s champion, placed second and received $750 for their
philanthropy. ADPi and Sigma Kappa will both be performing their dances during
the half time show of the Georgia vs. Georgia Tech basketball game on November 15.
Gamma Phi Beta finished in third place and won $500 for their philanthropy. Alpha
Omicron Pi earned the spirit award for obtaining the most spirit points. Some ways
to collect spirit points were by attending percentage nights, collecting the most
bumps on the Bumpin’ app, liking your sororities’ SDT Greek Grind pictures on
Facebook, winning the banner competition, and buying T-shirts during intermission.
I sat down with the event’s leading ladies, Lauren, Mara, and Sarah, to find out what
they thought about the outcome of the event.
1. Did the success of this year’s SDT Greek Grind exceed your expectations?
Mara: SDT's Greek Grind definitely exceeded my expectations. It's amazing how
much planning goes into the event and to see it all happen in one incredible night
was really rewarding. My personal goal was to reach $50,000 and we exceeded that
by $6,000 and that was far more than I had ever imagined!
Sarah: I am truly humbled by the success from this years' SDT Greek Grind. Lauren,
Mara, and I set our goals high, but I don't think any of us anticipated the tremendous
response from the entire UGA community. Handing the President of Prevent Child
Abuse America a check for $56,000 was indescribable, and I will always remember
that moment as one of the most surreal memories of my entire college career.
Lauren: SDT's Greek Grind itself exceeded all of my expectations let alone the
success of this year’s event. When I was elected to this position, I had a reach for the
stars mentality, but I could have never imagined that planning the event, the show
itself, and our donation to PCAA would all substantially exceed any expectation I
ever had. It is all still so surreal.
2. What was your favorite part of the planning process?
Mara: My favorite part of the planning process was getting to work closely with both
Lauren and Sarah and being part of that team. We all had different ideas and we saw
what worked and didn't work. I also really loved seeing how the entire behind the
scenes things work and come together the night of.
Sarah: One of my favorite parts of the planning process had to have been working
with my team of coordinators. I have never seen such a strong work ethic
implemented by two young women, and they managed to do so while remaining
poised and professional throughout the entire process. The event could not have
been the huge success that it was without the months of work Lauren and Mara put
into it, and I am proud to say that I worked alongside them, in addition to being able
to call them my close friends.
Lauren: My favorite parts of the planning process were seeing all of the small pieces
of the puzzle come together as well as being able to work with some of the most
incredible, hardworking and talented people I have ever met in my life.
3. When did you realize how much SDT Greek Grind meant to the entire University
of Georgia campus?
Mara: I think just the enthusiasm from all of the sororities’ shows how much SDT
Greek Grind means to UGA. The other sororities are so willing to come to percentage
nights and attend different events, and that really shows how SDT Greek Grind
wouldn't be possible without participation from all 17 sororities on campus.
Sarah: SDT Greek Grind has truly taken on a life of its own on the UGA campus. After
our first meeting with the SDT Greek Grind leaders of each sorority it began to sink
in that I was taking part in something huge and special to the Greek life
community. The YouTube videos can only do the event so much justice, and we are
so thankful for all of the support that the entire community gives us annually for this
event.
Lauren: I don't think I was fully able to understand or really comprehend the
magnitude of SDTs Greek Grind until I walked out onto the stage and saw just how
many people came to support our sorority, their respective sororities, and most
importantly Prevent Child Abuse America.
SDT Greek Grind continues to be the largest philanthropy event on the University of
Georgia campus, and this year only set the bar higher for the future of SDT Greek
Grind.