The UNCW Greek community came together Saturday to compete for the title of Mr. and Ms. Greek 2010. Members of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and Delta Tau Delta fraternity hosted the annual Mr. and Ms. Greek Pageant to support the Alpha Gamma Delta and Bleed Purple Foundations.

The AGD Foundation is involved in the fight to defeat juvenile diabetes, which affects one in 10 Americans. The Bleed Purple Foundation was founded by fellow Delts and strives to bring together the Greek community in an effort to support college students diagnosed with cancer by helping with medical bills and tuition relief.

“We do this every year to raise money for our philanthropy, and it’s a great thing to get all of the Greek organizations together to support a great cause,” said senior Arielle Williams, member of Alpha Gamma Delta and MC for the night.

Among the female participants included Hillary Laster, Alpha Delta Pi; Jessie Buongiorno, Alpha Gamma Delta; Hannah Jacobs, Alpha Xi Delta; Laura Thomas, Chi Omega; Emilie Ferreira, Delta Zeta; Hannah Norred, Phi Mu; Latisha McIntyre, Sigma Gamma Rho; and Kristen Gay, Sigma Sigma Sigma.

Representing the men were Jamarl Best, Alpha Phi Alpha; Hayden Jarman, Delta Chi; Cameron Dailey, Delta Tau Delta; John Gardner, Phi Gamma Delta; Ben Cole, Pi Kappa Alpha; and JJ Briceno, Pi Kappa Phi.

The pageant included a welcome and introduction to display contestants’ personalities, along with talent performances which included singing, dancing, clogging, playing the trumpet and event demonstrating a work-out routine. A formal wear presentation allowed the competitors to show off their beauty and poise before the finalists were announced.

During intermission, raffles were given away including a variety of gift certificates to local restaurants such as CiCi’s Pizza, Banks Channel and Ruby Tuesday, and two paddle boarding lessons on Bald Head Island. There was even a raffle for pet lovers—a bag of dog food.

After intermission, the competitors were narrowed down to three sorority women, Hillary Laster, Laura Thomas and Hannah Jacobs, and three fraternity men, Jamarl Best, Cameron Daily and JJ Briceno. The finalists were each asked an interview question, and then the judges were left to deliberate.

Among the judges included Phil McDaniel, director of Greek Affairs; Sandra Jackson, ACE advisor; Matt Victory, SGA Student Body President; Kristen Tucker, assistant director of Housing and Residence life; and Larissa LaCour, assistant director of CAIC.

“I think it’s great when the Greek community comes together to raise money for philanthropic endeavors, but I also love to see them have the opportunity to show their unique talents and let loose,” said McDaniel.

The judges made their final deliberations, and the MCs, Arielle Williams and Donovan Sievers, announced second runners-up Laura Thomas and JJ Briceno, first runners-up Hillary Laster and Jamarl Best and the winners of Mr. and Ms. Greek Hannah Jacobs and Cameron Daily. In addition to the prestigious title, the winners will each receive a $250 scholarship.