Staff Reports
It was a night of derby delight at the 48th annual Phi Beta Psi Cancer Dance on Feb. 1 at Pewter Hall in Brownstown.
Six senior girls raised funds during an eight-week campaign to raise money for the sorority’s national project, cancer research. The queen candidates raised money by placing donation cans around the city and asking local businesses, friends and family to join them in their fundraising efforts.
In total, the six girls raised $15,357.02. Co-chairwoman Taryn Rockey said the committee is proud of the girls and the time and effort they put into raising so much money for such a worthy cause.
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Chapter President Kalee Alberring crowned Bridget Marshall queen of the “Run for the Roses” dinner-dance. She was escorted by Nick Suerdieck.
The other queen candidates were Kati Curry, escorted by Logan Hohenstreiter; Peyton Levine, escorted by Trey Hohenstreiter; Allison O’Brien, escorted by Gavyn Stagnolia; Katherine Snook, escorted by Colin Greathouse; and Laken Waskom, escorted by Isaac Hardin.
Each candidate received a red rose and thank-you gifts from the sorority, a monogrammed blanket and Mary Kay cosmetics. Marshall also received a jeweled tiara donated by a Phi Beta Psi member.
Co-chairwoman Dana Byrkett said everyone always has a great time at the gala and wanted a fun and memorable theme. Many women came dressed in hats and fascinators, and a few individuals came dressed as their favorite jockey.
Karen Schepman and Jackie Hill also served on the dance committee and enjoyed the music provided by The Jackson Way.
The money raised by the queen candidates and proceeds from the dance will be given directly to cancer research. At the 2019 national convention, Phi Beta Psi gave more than $366,000 in research grants to six physicians across the country. Theta Omega, the local chapter, donated more than $38,000 toward these grants and $4,800 to local charities and individuals fighting cancer.
An additional event for the evening was people donating toward two sweetheart baskets. They were won by Melanie Pumphrey and Bridey Jacobi. The proceeds from this were given to Jill Minton, a local woman undergoing treatment for breast cancer.