This year marks the 15th anniversary of Kappa Alpha Theta’s fundraising event, Theta Encore. Last year, Kappa Alpha Theta was able to raise more than $18,000 for their philanthropy, Court Appointed Special Advocates. For more than 25 years, Kappa Alpha Theta and CASA have shared a relationship and belief that every abused or neglected child should be able to thrive in a safe and loving home.
Kappa Alpha Theta gives the university community three different opportunities to get involved, including a blood drive, GoFundMe page and the well-known Theta Encore dance competition. The blood drive comes to an end this week, and Thursday, Nov. 18, marks the final event of the fundraiser with the very exciting and competitive dance competition. These sororities have been practicing hours on end for weeks to perform impressive routines in front of peers and judges and have already been expressing their excitement for next week. Kappa Alpha Theta’s chapter president, Meghan Grenda, said she appreciates the support of Greek life members and all they have done to help make this fundraising event one of the largest grossing philanthropies on the Ole Miss campus.
“All of the sororities come out and shock us all with more elaborate, incredibly talented choreography every year. It’s nice to see everyone come together for such a great cause. We just hope that everyone remembers despite who wins the competition, the results are very much appreciated by Theta and CASA. We really do appreciate the support and effort put in by everyone every year”, Grenda said.
With such large donation results in the past, the members of Kappa Alpha Theta only expect more progress for the future.
“We’re really hoping to exceed our previous amount since we have added new events to the overall title of Theta Encore. It is amazing the amount of support we have gotten. So far we couldn’t be happier with the amount of donations coming through and can’t wait to see the results a week from now,” Courtney Borserine, chief marketing officer for the sorority, said.
A number of this year’s participating sororities have already been making contributions at the blood drive and on the GoFundMe page, as well as practicing endlessly for the final dance competition. It is anyone’s game when it comes to winning the whole competition. Rachel Durdin, coach for Delta Gamma the past two years, said she is excited for everyone to see just how hard the girls of Delta Gamma have been working to reclaim their No. 1 title from last year.
“We enjoy taking our time to prepare a dance with costumes, music and props, as well as giving blood for Kappa Alpha Theta. My fellow coaches and I have spent a lot of time thoroughly depicting our theme to best please and entertain the audience, and we hope to leave a great impression on all those who attend,” Durdin said.
Theta Encore — behind the dancing and competition — with the involvement of students, participating sororities and fellow Greek affiliates, ultimately brings men and women together for a single cause: contributing to CASA and changing a child’s life.
