An all-night Relay for Life to benefit cancer research. An interracial dating themed play. A professionally choreographed dance session. A pulse rocking battle of the bands. Ending with another synchronized dance.
This is the week that shouts "greek."
Thousands of greek community members gathered for Relay for Life on Saturday at IM Sports-Circle to kick off MSU's annual Greek Week.
With campsites set up all around the outer edges of the upstairs gymnasium, fraternities and sororities prepared for the all-nighter by bringing couches, televisions, video games, snacks, beverages, Frisbees, poker chips and other items to help pass the time.
"It's a great thing that the MSU greek community comes together, and it's an awesome way to raise money for the American Cancer Society," said applied engineering sciences junior Ryan Silvino, a member of the Sigma Pi fraternity.
The Greek Week teams are broken up into two or three fraternities and sororities each.
The teams compete to see who can raise the most money for the American Cancer Society.
"I know outsiders think the greek community just wants to party," Silvino said. "But I know that's not true because we devote our hard work and time to these different organizations all year round."
Many greeks were inspired after junior Mary Beth Knox, a member of Alpha Chi Omega with sarcoma cancer, spoke about her experiences — from finding out the news to the present day. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
Throughout Saturday night and into the early morning, when not walking the perimeter of the lower gymnasium, students participated in events such as building human pyramids, burrito- and pie-eating contests, 3-point basketball competitions, swimming relays, dodgeball and a tug-of-war.
Sorority and fraternity members watched an onstage play titled "Platanos and Collard Greens" with an interracial dating theme Monday.
The play examines discrimination against mixed relationships across the United States.
On Tuesday, "MTV Night," also known as "Bar Night," brought the community together again to watch teams compete in dance routines, featuring hip-hop, jazz, tap and other styles of dancing.
"It's great to work with partners, and it's definitely great to teach the guys and see them dance too, while trying to cram the whole thing into a six-minute routine," said civil engineering junior Katie Wirth, a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority.
Festivities continue with a "battle of the bands" tonight.
