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December 01, 2011
A House and Some Hope
11/11/11. A day that was expected to be lucky. Fortuitous. Providential. Advantageous. Fortunate. These expectations were met when the Kappa Alpha Theta of Oklahoma State University raised about $13,000 for its philanthropy, CASA, ensuring that some children would receive some hope. CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates and works to enlist and involve volunteers to act as advocates on behalf of neglected or mistreated children who must be removed from their homes. Volunteers walk through the court system with these children as they search for a new home that can provide them with attention, love and safety. They give these children comfort, strength, and a voice where they would usually not have one. CASA volunteers are these children's champions, looking out for their best interests, making sure that they are not taken advantage of, and guiding them through the judicial system. It is for these children that Theta hosted its annual philanthropy event, Theta Rocks the CASA. Every year, the chapter puts on a benefit concert to raise funds for its local and national chapters of CASA, creating an immediate impact on Payne County and contributing to widespread success across the United States. This year, the format of the fundraiser changed from just a one- or two-band concert to a battle of the bands featuring performers from in and around the Greek community of Oklahoma State. There were first, second, and third place awards, as well as a viewer’s choice award, voted on by those who attended. Nine acts performed: • Cheyenne Taylor • Audrey Sharp • Tori Brownlee • Zach Roberts and Katie Leto • Bailey Franklin and Ethan Schlect • Scott Blankenship and Andrew Webb • Ryan Rahhal, Jeff Harper, Tom Delpha, and Blake Choisnet • Lindsey Lyon and Scott Burner • Real American Denim, featuring Jacob Burton, Adam Avey, Daniel Cummins, Scott Burner, and Andrea Cerar The winners of the evening included Real American Denim coming in third place, Beta Theta Pi men Ryan Rahhal, Jeff Harper, Tom Delpha and Blake Choisnet in second, and vocalist Cheyenne Taylor as the overall winner. Viewer’s choice was Lindsey Lyon and Scott Burner with an Adele and Kings of Leon set. The evening was a great time of music and friends, all for a wonderful cause. Once again, OSU’s Greek community showed its support for its chapters by participating in Theta Rocks the CASA. Each of the acts displayed enormous talent, another testament to the caliber and success of Oklahoma State Greeks, and showed tremendous heart by coming together for a purpose that goes beyond college and outside of Stillwater, Oklahoma. All in all, the evening was a great success. The CASA organization received nearly $13,000 in financial support, and awareness of the plight of these children and the need for advocates to act on their behalf was raised. I’d say 11/11/11 was a lucky, blessed, successful day. Very lucky indeed.
Andrea is a junior studying English and Spanish. You may contact her at acerar@okstate.edu.
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