Kaila Packett and Laurie Lynn

Fight Song Directors for AXΩ, KA, ATΩ, and AKA

Volume 4, Issue 7

Fight Song Competition Honors Veterans

Jonathan Joy

Blue Raider Greeks rode to victory Friday night competing in this year’s Fight Song competition. Fight Song is a chance for the Greek Community to express their Blue Raider pride through singing and dancing in front of their family and peers in the Murphy Center.

This year’s homecoming theme is “Red, White, and Blue Raider Salute”. At the beginning of the planning for homecoming, each group of organizations was given a branch of the armed forces to use as their theme for all homecoming activities, including Fight Song.

After 3 long weeks of preparation, students and family members packed the Murphy Center seats as each group took the stage in hopes of taking home the highly coveted trophy.

“The school spirit the groups possess is something I wish everyone at MTSU could experience. This year’s show was another success was definitely a great way to kick off the homecoming festivities,” said Megan Ryan.  Ryan was the co-director of this year’s fight song along with Josh McKenzie.

Congratulations to this year’s winners:

1^st place:  Army

Alpha Chi Omega, Kappa Alpha Order, Alpha Tau Omega, Alpha Kappa Alpha

2^nd place: National Guard

Alpha Omicron Pi, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Beta Sigma, Lambda Theta Alpha

3^rd place: Marines

Zeta Tau Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Pi, Delta Sigma Theta, Omega Psi Phi

SGA Builds MTSU’s First Habitat Home

Sarah Russell

This year marks a milestone for SGA at MTSU.  On November 1, the first MTSU Habitat for Humanity home will be dedicated to a local family in need.  The home, which will be built from October 17 to November 1, is the final project after two years of fundraising for the Habitat Blitz Build.  Students, faculty, alumni, and staff are welcome to volunteer their time to help in the construction.

The most rewarding aspect of the Blitz Build is the opportunity to change the lives of a local family.  The Bautista family has never had a place to call their home.  As they moved from state to state, the family of five would either live with family or in public housing.  The Bautista’s are currently living in public housing and are so grateful for Habitat for Humanity and MTSU.

“We love MTSU and we are so excited to meet and work with the students on our home build,” said the mother, Leinaala.

While the home is the largest and most visible project SGA is working on, the fundraising aspect of the Habitat Blitz Build is equally as crucial.  Events such as Blitz the Boro, See Spot Run, and Cheer 4 Humanity are all fundraising efforts to support the MTSU Habitat Blitz Build and make it possible.  Blitz the Boro is scheduled for this Saturday, October 27.

“Blitz the Boro is an all day fundraising event where student groups or students in general can form teams of 10 members to go on a blitz into the Murfreesboro community to get donations for the Blitz Build,” said Crystal Griffey, the SGA Philanthropic Coordinator.

The winning team will receive a tailgating party sponsored by SGA, MTSU spirit prizes, and free t-shirts.  The Blitz Build also counts toward Gold Standard for Greeks.

Whether you choose to collect money or pick up a hammer, every student is encouraged to get involved with this highly rewarding project.

The Bautista family

Greek of the Week

Whitney Carr

Every week we try to put out a good publication so that all Greeks will know what is going on around campus. For those of you who actually read Letters you will appreciate our Greek of the Week. None of this would be possible without our editor, Sarah Russell. She writes, assembles and sends out all things Letters. Sarah came on the scene this fall and has been doing a phenomenal job.

 “It's a great way for me to get journalism experience while writing about something I really care about,” says the senior Print Journalism major. “Letters is a great way to let people know about the all positive things Greeks are involved in, and I enjoy being a part of that.”

As member of Alpha Chi Omega since 2004, Sarah has served her sorority by holding positions such as Vice President of Finance, Recording Secretary and Publications Chair. Sarah has also been involved in other campus organizations and even holds down a part time job. With all of this on her hands, does she have any free time?

“Free time? What’s that? I just like to spend time with my friends and be as involved as I can in Alpha Chi,” claims Russell.

Though there may be a shortage of free time it won’t be letting up any time soon. Sarah plans to graduate in May and go on the get her Master’s degree.  But until then we will sing her praises as Editor in Chief of Letters, the best Greek online publication there is! Thanks Sarah!

Fraternity Cook-Off Debut a Success

John Carter                 

The first fraternity cook-off at MTSU took place in Walnut Grove Saturday morning before tailgating got underway.  Cooking teams representing ΑΤΩ (Ground Chuck Steak), ΒΘΠ (Barbecue Chicken), KA (Filet with Béarnaise sauce), ΣAE (Pork Chops), and ΣΠ (Surf and Turf) had completely raw food at 10:30 and had to have meals that would please the judges prepared by 12:30.  Among the judges were Carrie Youell, Jose Becton, Brandon Butler, Justin Phillips, Maggie Hobrat, and Katie Gomez.  The culinary creations were assessed based on three characteristics:  Taste, Tenderness, and Appearance.  Each judge gave a score of 1-9 in all three categories, leading to a possible total of 135 points.

Each team had the right to brag about their made-from-scratch work of culinary art, as the judges’ scores would show.  The top three places were separated by only three points.  However, the team lead by cook Shaun Phillips and assistants Mike Shetsky and Nick Palmer took home the title of Fraternity Cook-Off Champions for KA with 122 points.  The results meant continued success for Phillips, who also headed the winning team during ΚΔ Wing Fling.  A very close second place was ΣAE, who had a three man team of Greg Owens, Steven Shipe, and Steven Rohall, with 120 points.  Rounding out the top three was ΣΠ’s one man team of Josh Saucier, who garnered 119 points.

IFC vice president Chris Smith, who was instrumental in the organization of the cook-off, said the food quality was “much higher than any of the council representatives and judges had anticipated.”  Smith went on to say, “Our plan is for this to become an annual event among both IFC and NPHC fraternities, emphasizing both council unity and high-quality competition.”

KA Shaun Phillps helps cook his team to a victory in the Fraternity Cook-off