It’s that time of the year for JMU sorority Alpha Phi to select its annual “Mr. Heartthrob” to raise money for Harrisonburg’s Sentara Hospital.
Contestants from 17 fraternities, such as Tau Kappa Epsilon, Lambda Chi Alpha and Kappa Delta Rho, gathered in Memorial Hall’s auditorium Monday from 7 – 9:00. to battle for the title of Alpha Phi’s Mr. Heartthrob through a talent show.
Alpha Phi Philanthropy Chair and junior Hannah Hutchins hosted the event, alongside co-directors sophomore Christina Scully and Vice President of Health, Wellness and Accountability for Alpha Phi and senior Ellie Shiveley.
Hutchins, Scully and Shiveley opened the floor by introducing themselves and inviting the contestants, ranging from freshmen to sophomores, to take the stage and begin performing.
Hutchins said the main reason behind the event’s creation was to raise money for women’s health at Sentara Hospital.
“Our proceeds are going to go to women’s heart health, which is [similar to] the Alpha Phi Foundation,” Hutchins said. “We donate a lot of our money to Sentara Hospital, so it’s local, and we work really close with them.”
Some of the contestants, freshmen Ryan Lunstead and Jake Dellangelo from Kappa Alpha, performed a version of a Christmas-themed dance from the movie “Mean Girls,” while other participants chose to sing or dance.
Toward the event’s end, participants were asked who their biggest female inspiration was.
Participants answered and said their moms, best friends and grandmas, as well as Alpha Phi President Erica Nassan.
The overall winner of the event was Kappa Alpha, while Delta Tau Delta brother and junior Isaac Duncan won the title of “pretty boy”; Pi Kappa Alpha brother and freshman Harry Evans won the title of “smartie pants”; and Pi Kappa Phi brothers and freshmen Brandon Tate and Mitchell Hall won for talent.
This event is an essential part of raising money for Sentara Hospital, Hutchins said, adding that one of the most common causes of death in women stems from heart issues. Through this event, Alpha Phi raised over $3,000 for Sentara Hospital, according to its post-event Instagram post.
“It’s to advocate for women’s heart health, as it is the leading cause of death in women,” Hutchins said. “It’s not talked about enough and, it should be.”
