ZTA's Big Man on Campus Pageant Raises Big Bucks for Breast Cancer Education and Awareness

Often times, people are asked to donate to a charity or to a foundation, but they do not know exactly where the money is going, how it is used, or how it will affect their future.The women of Zeta Tau Alpha at Auburn University have figured out how to raise money effectively and efficiently, and donate to a philanthropy that affects so many people.

ZTA's philanthropy is breast cancer education and awareness and the money it raises for this cause is given to the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation which benefits the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The ZTA chapter at AU raises money for the foundation by hosting The Big Man on Campus pageant where each Greek sorority nominates a male student at AU to represent its chapter.

ZTA at AU raised close to $40,000 last year, and in the past 5 years, it has raised more than $200,000. This year, the chapter's goal is to raise more than $35,000. Many different events along with the final pageant contribute to the total amount raised.

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From February until the pageant, April 8, the contestants practice one time a week for their opening number and prepare for the pageant.The contestants also participate in a few fund-raising events during the months.

One event that raised more than $6,000 was the date auction which began last year. In it's second year, the auction raised close to $3,000. For this event, each Big Man contestant is auctioned in front of an audience and the highest bidder wins a date with the contestant. This year, the date was to the bowling alley.

A few other events that the contestants compete in during the few weeks leading to the pageant are the sexy legs competition and Zeta favorites. For the sexy legs competition, all 16 contestants take pictures of their legs and the pictures are displayed on the concourse. Jars are put by each picture, and people can put money into the jar by the picture that they decide has the sexiest legs. The picture with the most money in it's jar wins. For the Zeta favorites competition, all 16 contestants are invited to the sorority's chapter meeting where they can bribe the ZTA sisters to choose them as their favorite.

"Some contestants make videos, read poems or sing songs, and some contestants bring food, which is always a big hit with the women," said Cecily Waters, Director of Big Man on Campus for ZTA.

The AU chapter of ZTA has been recognized in their sorority's quarterly news as being one of the chapters in the country that has raised over $50,000 and the sorority is proud to be able to raise money for such a good cause.

"Breast cancer affects one in every eight women," said Waters, "and everyone is connected to someone who has been affected by breast cancer."

Waters also said that there are quite a few women in the sorority who have had family members directly affected by breast cancer, so this philanthropy is very important to the women of ZTA.

While the final amount that has been raised this year has not been calculated because the pageant is not over, Waters believes that the goal will be reached this year as it has been in the past.

The pageant will be held tonight, April 8, in the Student Activities Center at 7 p.m.