Garrisi practiced different songs in front of her friends until she ultimately chose Hallelujah' by Leonard Cohen to sing the talent portion of this competition.

Garrisi signed up for the pageant in support of Sigma Pi’s philanthropy — The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. 

“You’d be surprised by how many people on campus and off campus are affected by domestic violence,” human biology sophomore and president of Alpha Phi Alyssa Yarrish said. 

The competition held three rounds, including an introduction, talent portion and questionnaire. Nine contestants from different sororities performed talents including singing, dancing, DJing and drawing.

This was the first annual event, although Sigma Pi has done similar pageants in the past. 

"It was like a rebranding year," said Tyler Jelonek, accounting senior and philanthropy chair of Sigma Pi. "We used to do it under a different brand of Miss Greek, which was not the classiest event," he said.  

The fraternity wanted to create a new image for the event in order to create a positive image for women. Jelonek said cases of domestic violence from NFL athletes reported in the media inspired Sigma Pi to support this philanthropy.

“We wanted to do more women empowerment,” Jelonek said. "So we felt that (The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence) organization has a positive image for that.”

Housemothers of each sorority were asked to judge the competition and the winner was chosen based on a point system. Contestants received extra points if more members from their sorority attended.

“We had a lot of fun,” Yarrish said. “Not only because our sister was competing in the pageant but also because we knew the proceeds and our contribution was going to their philanthropy.”

The event raised $2,500 for the philanthropy, which was more than half of their goal.

“I won a pageant and that’s something to brag about,” said Garissi. “As sorority women here, we do try to be leaders, and I think it is an honor to be wearing this crown right now.”