Greeks host Teeter-Totter-a-thon for funds

Jordan Leigh Haiduk / The Bulletin

During the Sigma Phi Epsilon and Alpha Sigma Alpha held the annual Teeter-Totter-A-Thon, sophomore political science major Zack Davis and sophomore economics major Kyle Morris take their turn in Teeter Tottering. Sigma Phi Epsilon and Alpha Sigma Alpha are joining together to help collect money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lyon County, S.O.S. and the Center for Early Childhood Education.

Members of Sigma Phi Epsilon and Alpha Sigma Alpha held their annual Teeter-Totter-A-Thon in the yard of the Sigma Phi Epsilon house on Wednesday and Thursday.

“This gives us a chance to go out, help different organizations in town,” said Zack Davis, sophomore political science major, co-coordinator of the event and member of Sigma Phi Epsilon. “It’s our opportunity to give back to the community and do our part.”

The goal of the event is for members of the Greek houses to teeter-totter for 36-hours straight in order to collect donations for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lyon County, SOS and the Center for Early Childhood Education.

The event began at 9 a.m. on Wednesday and continued until 9 p.m. Thursday. Members hope to reach their goal of $4000 this year. In the first three hours, over $500 had been raised.

“There’s been a lot of support, whether it’s from people honking or actually stopping and donating money,” Davis said. “We get a lot of support from everybody.”

Members of Alpha Sigma Alpha and Sigma Phi Epsilon are required to participate in the event. Shifts last for about one hour. Participants said that members of their Greek houses enjoyed the event.

“In my house, this is the favorite event of the whole year,” said Tami Spexarth, senior business administration major, co-coordinator of the event and member of Alpha Sigma Alpha. “The girls love coming out and doing this.”

One alumnus, graduate student Chris Lucas, was responsible for presenting the donations to the selected organizations in years past.

“It makes you feel good that you’ve helped somebody,” Lucas said. “Their reactions were heartwarming and it was a humbling experience.”

The tradition of the Teeter-Totter-A-Thon began in 1996. According to members of Sigma Phi Epsilon, an alumnus traveled to a Sigma Phi Epsilon house in Missouri twelve years ago to retrieve the teeter-totter that is still used today. Alumni are pleased to know that the tradition of the Teeter-Totter-A-Thon continues.

“It’s nice to know [they’re doing it],” Lucas said. “The biggest thing is obviously for all the organizations that we’re trying to benefit. In years past, we’ve raised lots of money. Hopefully, it increases this year. It’s nice to know that the guys are taking it seriously and they’re continuing that tradition.”

“I think that it’s an absolutely wonderful fundraiser,” said Courtney Graves, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Flint Hills. “We appreciate that they’ve chosen [to benefit] Big Brothers Big Sisters.”