NIA DOAKS | Managing Editor
On Saturday, April 18, the Kappa Omicron Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Eta Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. collaborated to throw the Golden Ivy Affair charity ball.
The event, which was created to raise money for March of Dimes, was held at the JC Raulston Arboretum and attracted dozens of N.C. State students who enjoyed refreshments, hors d’oeuvres, and music courtesy of D.J. Rich Sosa.
Attendees had the opportunity to dance the night away in formal eveningwear, mingle with one another, and have photos taken with the backdrop of the botanical gardens.
Students enjoyed the change of pace that this ball provided.
“I liked the fact that it was a formal event. It was good that we were all able to ‘clean up’ and look nice,” said Gift Coker, a junior majoring in bioprocessing science. “A lot of times you don’t get to see your peers in that kind of setting.”
Along with the attire, attendees also enjoyed being out on the dance floor.
“I really think that the night could be summed up by the soul train line,” said Dez Sellman, member of the planning committee and President of the Eta Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. “That was one thing that I really enjoyed, seeing everyone put down their guards and do crazy things in front of their peers and not feel judged.”
The Golden Ivy Affair is an event that had been thrown in the past, and this was the first time the charity ball had been thrown in three years. When planning for the Golden Ivy Affair, each organization chose two representatives from their respective chapters to form a planning committee. After four months of planning and collaboration, the event was finally able to come to fruition.
“People who attended said that it was definitely a good program that they would want to see in the future,” said Tolu Oyelowo, a member of the planning committee and parliamentarian of the Kappa Omicron Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. “There were some kinks here and there, as there are with any event- but overall I think it was very successful.”
Along with the night being successful for the attendees, over $500 was raised to be donated to March of Dimes. March of Dimes is an organization that funds research and programs to end premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality.
Sellman offered some final words regarding this collaborative event. “Stop worrying about what is ‘cool’ and what looks ‘good’,” he said. “People oftentimes feel judged by their peers, and I’m glad the ball kind of broke that down. We need to continue to foster an environment where that can happen, because that type of attitude is counterproductive to unity in the community.”
Both Sellman and Oyelowo agreed that they hope to see the event continue to expand in the future.
The Kappa Omicron Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the Eta Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., offer their gratitude to all who attended and made the ball happen.
“It was not only us who did it,” said Oyelowo, “but everyone who attended definitely helped to make it a success for us.”