3rd annual Hoosier Sweetheart raises $17K

Senior Tyler Crow, Hoosier Sweetheart executive director, sat backstage Friday building a piano out of duct tape and black poster board as well as answering final questions with auditorium staff.

Such work was necessary to ensure the third annual event, a talent show sponsored by Sigma Phi Epsilon and performed by sorority women to raise money for YouthAIDS, was successful.

The brothers met their fundraising goal. This year’s event set a new record and earned $17,407.

“It’s steadily grown each year,” Crow said. “I enjoy it because it’s something I started. To look back and to see it progressing and see it get better makes me feel happy that what we have done has actually made an impact.”

To recruit talent, the members of the fraternity visit each sorority in the fall. Many houses recommend acts or promote the event to their members. This year 14 women participated. 

“We’ve gotten a really good reception,” Crow said. “From past experiences, they love it. One of the ways we get contestants now is through that support.”

Each contestant is expected to raise a certain amount of money through selling T-shirts and tickets as well as gathering donations from family and friends. A Sig Ep brother is assigned to each girl to act as a coach to help solicit funds, offer support and improve the acts. 

“As a senior going out, I really wanted to get involved,” coach Tyler Coward said. “We’re just here for moral support, but being able to meet all the girls who are representing their sororities and acknowledge all their hard work is fun.” 

Contestant and senior Sarah Emery, a member of the Alpha Delta Pi, played her piccolo in the contest.

“I figured Hoosier Sweetheart was a great way to get in more philanthropy time and donate my time to a good cause,” Emery said. “And I really wanted to be able to represent my house. This is a really great thing to do.”

The Hoosier Sweetheart title is awarded for an overall combination of spirit, talent and money raised. Though it was Emery’s first year competing, she won the contest.

Other contestants were recognized separately for spirit, talent, and fundraising. Some sang, others danced and still others played instruments.

Meghan Hunter, a freshman in Alpha Omicron Pi, sat in the front row and cheered on her sisters.

“I came to support my house and see the show,” Hunter said. “It was a lot of fun, and they were all really talented.”