When is true brotherhood or sisterhood defined? Is it in the fun times — the parties, tailgates and nights of laughter? Or is it in the tough times — the grief, tears and loss? Lambda Chi Alpha and Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) are working to prove that it is in the latter.
The fraternity and sorority stood as just that in their event “Buzz Cuts and Beignets,” a fun time intended to support a Lambda Chi member and his mom after a newfound diagnosis of breast cancer.
The event was held on Nov. 5 at the Lambda Chi house. Music played, and a pink hue covered the building as members of ZTA lined the house steps, offering warm welcomes to all entering.
Before entering the epicenter of the event, the guests could find their beignets in neat little serving baskets, already topped with powdered sugar with the option of adding chocolate syrup. Lambda Chi members helped with passing the delicacies out, moving the attendees toward where the fun awaited.
The center of the event was held in the courtyard, with lights lined overhead adding a cozy brightness to the dark night and onto the tables littering the space, donning bright pink tablecloths. In the front corner stood a makeshift barbershop as the members of Lambda Chi buzzed their hair off in a salute to their brother and his mother’s new journey.
Even in the midst of such a sobering cause, the two Greek organizations came together to make a good time, inspiring laughs, smiles and embarking on new hairless journeys.
Madison Lee, a junior food science, nutrition and health promotion major and the former vice president of philanthropy and services for ZTA, began planning the event around late September when Lambda Chi president Carter Shannon approached the sorority to plan an event in support of their brother.
Lee spoke on putting together events such as this one.
“It’s about involving members as much as possible,” Lee said. “Everyone wants a way to do something.”
With about 300 members, this took shape with some being greeters, some helping with passing out food and others floating around, helping wherever needed.
When asked why Lambda Chi decided to partner with the sorority, Lee specified that breast cancer education and awareness is the specific initiative of the nationwide ZTA foundation.
Gianna Ciotoli Maidens, MSU Admissions Counselor and ZTA New Member advisor, went into detail on the nationwide mission for the foundation.
Maidens said, “We have a saying: ‘Until one in eight is none in eight.’”
As it stands, one in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer, an astounding statistic. According to Ciotoli Maidens, to combat it, ZTA donates to the American Cancer Society and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and they hold Think Pink games with the National Football League (NFL) to bring awareness to the widespread impact of breast cancer.
As far as the impact on Mississippi State University’s campus, ZTA hosts Think Pink games with MSU athletics, passing out pink ribbons and holding a halftime walkout on the Humphrey Coliseum’s court for breast cancer survivors to rightfully gain recognition.
The event held different meanings for all the parties involved, some with personal connections to it and others being indirectly affected.
Caroline Norris, a sophomore industrial engineering major and the incoming vice president of philanthropy for the Gamma Zeta chapter of ZTA, detailed how members of ZTA are connected to the events they put so much work into.
“There are lots of connections through family members getting diagnosed, and many pledges have people they know affected by it,” Norris said.
Lee also mentioned that for some, their sisters are the connections to the cause, and they are happy to be able to be a source of help for the women and families affected by cancer.
Shannon recounted the importance of the event.
“Being in a fraternity, it’s supposed to be a brotherhood, and being able to rally around a member and his family — we try to do what we preach and be the best men we can be,” Shannon said.
The president shared that all the members play a role in the kind of event that “Buzz Cuts and Beignets” was and that they do their best to listen to each other.
Gianna Ciotoli Maidens said the advising teams are proud of the undergraduates’ drive.
“It’s important because every chapter member has someone that has been impacted,” Maidens said. “I love the fact that Greek [organizations] can come together and do something important for the Bulldog family.”
Caroline Norris admitted that she could see herself hosting events such as this one in the future, as it brings excitement to the community and awareness to their cause.
Whether through sweet treats or new hairdos, this won’t be the last time MSU hears from Zeta Tau Alpha on a cause they hold so close to their hearts.
