Tribune staff reports

“Mardi Gras Mambo” was the theme for the 45th annual Phi Beta Psi Cancer Dance on Feb. 4 at Pewter Hall in Brownstown.

Sorority President Jackie Hill crowned Hannah Sipe as queen. Sipe, a senior at Seymour High School, is the daughter of Rob and Holly Sipe. She received the most penny votes and donations from local businesses in an eight-week campaign to win the title. Her escort for the evening was Cailen Shepherd.

Other queen candidates were Haley Westfall, escorted by Seth Ragon; Delaney Friend, escorted by Jacob Joray; Kirstin Hoene, escorted by Drew Royalty; Alexis Gross, escorted by Jonas Torres; Hannah Wood, escorted by Jack Rosenberger; and Mallory Thias, escorted by Jacob Joray.

Each candidate received a red rose and thank-you gifts from the sorority — a monogrammed blanket and Mary Kay cosmetics. Sipe also received a jeweled tiara donated by a Phi Beta Psi member.

Dance co-chairwomen Dana Byrkett and Hill reported that $8,250 was donated through the candidates’ votes. The donations, along with proceeds from the dance, will be given directly to cancer research, the sorority’s national project.

At the 2016 national convention, Phi Beta Psi gave $336,132 in research grants to six doctors. Theta Omega, the local chapter, donated $17,180 of that.

During the evening, other charitable donations were given from local businesses and sorority members toward a sweetheart basket. Having so many donations this year, the sorority chose to have three basket drawings. The proceeds, $1,574, went to Tiffany Mains, who currently is fighting breast cancer. The baskets were won by Mark Friend, Kalee Alberring and Mark Jacobi.

The 280 people attending the dance were entertained by the music of the Third Generation Band from Indianapolis.

Serving on the dance committee with Byrkett and Hill were Melissa Krawchison, Stephanee Roberts and Jan Robinson.