Sorority members posed on a small, crowded stage in mini-skirts, halter tops and high-heeled shoes Tuesday evening, as audience members whistled and cheered.
People packed inside The Temple Club, 500 E. Grand River Ave. in Lansing to watch as the 23 contestants from 13 Panhellenic sororities took the stage and showed off their brains and beauty.
Contestants competed for the title of Miss Greek, her picture in the Sigma Pi composite photo and a spa package from the Steven L. Marvin-East salon, 209 E. Grand River Ave.
Sigma Pi fraternity hosted the sixth annual Miss Greek beauty pageant, with proceeds benefiting the American Red Cross.
Jason Bandy, philanthropy chairman for the fraternity, said there are other events they could do to meet the requirements, but the beauty pageant is the most effective.
"It's the easiest way to raise money," said Bandy, a marketing sophomore. "Every year it gets larger and it's for a good cause."
Sororities from the Panhellenic Council nominated up to two women to represent their chapter. Although all the contestants were white, Sigma Pi President Derek Bush said minorities were invited to participate.
"Every one of the houses we include have minorities in them," Bush said. "Anyone that is part of a greek organization is more than welcome to participate."
Participants paraded on stage for three themed rounds, characterized by bar attire, "girl next door" costumes and sleepwear, in which they were judged on appearance and their answers to questions.
In the second round, two "girl next door" contestants came out in bath towels and described a girl next door as being pure and comfortable, and one who made the neighbors invest in expensive binoculars because she always forgets to close the blinds.
"We tell the girls to dress as conservatively as they want," Bush said. "We give them the questions and judges sheets in advance so they know what it's like."
Kelli Ritchie, a journalism freshman and member of Alpha Chi Omega, agreed that the fraternity and the event were not exploitative of women.
"People are exploiting themselves by what they're wearing and saying," Ritchie said.
Anne Bresler of ASMSU's Women's Council said beauty pageants, in general, reinforce the stereotype that women are only worthy for their beauty, regardless of the cause.
"Yeah it's for a good cause," the English senior said. "But if it was the fraternity trying to raise money, why didn't they compete in the pageant?"
For the next year, international relations sophomore Allison Ray of Alpha Chi Omega will hold the title of Miss Greek.
"I hate pageants," Ray said. "The only reason I'm doing this is for charity."
