Sigma Chi Alpha Kappa

This past week, brother Kyle Forti hosted the annual Big Brothers, Big Sisters “Bowl for Kids Sake.” It was a brilliant event down at the Hillsdale Lanes and Forti helped raise over $5,000 in donations and sponsorships to help kids of Hillsdale as well as around the country. Among the Chapters participants were brothers Matthew Ketron, Daniel Pauley, Max Nichols, Aaron Snider, and David Beatrice. Big thanks goes to brother Forti who made this happen for Hillsdale County, he brings honor and service to the Fraternity and we are proud to call him one of our own.

(Pictured from left to right: David Beatrice, Daniel Pauley, Aaron Snider, Matthew Ketron, Max Nichols, Kyle Forti)

The spirit of charity flew through Hillsdale College this fall for our Annual Derby Days Week.  The sororities and the campus as a whole came together for one of the most concerted efforts seen in years.  Together we raised over $2,200 for the local Hillsdale Community Action Agency – a group that provides aid and support to local, needy families.  In these tough economic times, when our own communities are hurting so bad, the Chapter decided rather than send money away to a large, National charity, to support our own community.  We firmly believe that the work of rebuilding the economy starts at the local level, and Alpha Kappa took an active role in fulfilling this duty.

Along with reassessing to whom we give the money, the Chapter also breathed some new life into the week itself.  Two weeks prior to the start of Derby Days, we went to each Sorority and presented a 15-minute ‘education program’ on the history, nature, and intent of Derby Days.  We thought this would help to increase appreciation and participation among the sororities.  The traditional ‘Jail & Bail’ night took a turn toward the more luxurious side of incarceration.  Men and women were emailed an official warrant for arrest and upon arrest were escort to a plush jail in the Grewcock Formal Lounge where they were treated to hors d’oeuvres and punch.  This was highly successful, raising almost $600!  Among other notable events was a Jeopardy Night where each Sorority was represented by a faculty member in the popular game show, as well a ‘Sigma Chi Servant for a Day’ auction where Sigs auctioned off their service for an afternoon.  Some brothers went for as much as $100!

All in all, Derby days was a huge success.  The college came together to have fun and support the local community, and the bar has been set high for many years to come.

- James Bild, Derby Daddy