Between the volleyball games, and the obstacle course; the chants and the screams; the slime and the game shows, this year’s Greek Week kept the Greek Life members busy and excited.

Although this was the first year that the week was actually a three-day weekend, both Greek Week staff and Greek Life members believe it was a success. Vice President of Fraternity Affairs Chris Beisel was one member of the duo that planned Greek Week. Beisel said the weekend took a lot of work and planning, but it was all worth it in the end.

“We were elected into our positions in January and we pretty much started right from there planning everything that was going on in April as far as Greek Week goes,” he said. “It was definitely a lot of preparation but I feel it went pretty well when it all came together.”

Taylor Zorman, vice president of programming of Pan-Hellenic Council, was Beisel’s other half when tackling the planning of Greek Week. Zorman said the planning of a weekend was a bit easier for her, and there were many different reasons the decision was made to shorten the events.

“Students complained because it was a lot for a full week,” she said. “Every single day having to do that after class and with it being attendance points, you want to be there, but it could possibly impact people’s school, so we thought it would just be better to shorten it to a weekend.”

Senior Katie Schuster agreed. Schuster participated in Greek Week with her Alpha Phi sisters, and enjoyed the weekend over a week.

“I personally liked having Greek Weekend instead of Greek Week,” she said. “I felt more inclined to attend everything knowing I wouldn’t have to give up homework time or rush to an event after night class. I also think everyone was more interested in attending everything because it was only 3 days instead of the typical 5-6 days and everyone ends up being burned out by the end of the week. I defintely think it is worth keeping this same format in years to come.”

This year, Greek Week’s theme was simply “The 90’s,” and started Thursday, April 18 with a luau in the Rec Center. Students were able to swim and play games, although this event did not count toward Greek Week points. Friday night consisted of game shows and was held in Redwood. Family Fued, Jeopardy, “Who Remembers The 90’s Anyway?” and the annual Big-Little Competition occupied Friday. Chapters were awarded points based on attendance. Saturday was an all-day competition between chapters with events such as volleyball, Bad Minton, basketball, swimming, tug-o-war, baseball, and ended with an obstacle course.

Both Zorman and Beisel agreed that Greek Week was a success, and they couldn’t have asked for a better weekend.

“Watching it all come together was so much fun,” Zorman said. “I wasn’t with everyone else so I was just kind of monitoring and seeing that they enjoyed it was the most fulfilling part.”

Besiel agreed and said that although this year held some firsts, the weekend was enjoyable.

“I would say Greek Week went well this year,” he said. “It was especially nice to have Kappa Sigma involved; they are a new initiated colony on campus so it was their first time being a part of Greek Week. But I think it was just successful having all of the chapters involved. It’s the one time a year, really, that all chapters are working together… It’s that togetherness feeling that consumes the weekend.”

While Zorman, Besiel, and the Pan-Hellenic team busily worked on the planning and execution of Greek Week, individual chapters prepared their teams for competition. Sophomore Kalie Outwater was in charge of her chapter for Greek Week as Alpha Delta Pi’s Special Events chair. This was her first year planning the event, and she said Greek Week is about more than winning.

“I think it went really well overall,” she said. “As much as it is about winning and bragging rights, it is most importantly about coming together as a Greek community and celebrating a great year that everyone has had. I am really proud of everything my chapter has accomplished this year and how well we did this weekend.”

Schuster said she enjoyed the competitions of the weekend, but had a sentimental memory that she will take with her.

“I would have to say my absolute favorite part of Greek Weekend was winning the Big/Little competition with my little Rachel Stockle,” she said. “It was a great last Greek Week memory to share with my best friend.”

Outwater said that the weekend not only strengthened her pride for her chapter, but also her pride for Ashland University.

“This weekend has made me glad that I went Greek,” she said. “The Greek community at Ashland is so strong and unified. I am so glad to be a part of it.”

Beisel agreed and said that Greek Week is an important time for AU and its students. He said that although the chapters may be competing, it is a time to come together and create unity.

“I would say the importance of Greek Week is allowing the chapters to be proud of their letters, and allowing Greeks to be proud of who they are,” he said. “But also being proud to be here at Ashland and being able to compete with each other, but at the end of the day realize that we are Greek Life and that’s what makes us special.”