 "Photo: PAUL RANN, THE VOLANTE, 2009")
 "Photo: PAUL RANN, THE VOLANTE, 2009")
The morning of Sept. 25, seven-year-old Jocelyn Draper woke up and realized she could not walk. Draper was sent to Omaha, Neb. for testing and was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma. Last week, the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity helped raise more than $2,000 to help her family with their difficult time.
The Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity performed their 13th annual Thursday Night Live show in the MUC ballroom to raise money for Draper and award their annual Dream Girl scholarship.
Senior Justin Heyd, Pi Kappa Alpha philanthropy director, said the fraternity was able to raise $2,200 from this year’s performance, but there are still funds coming and the final tally is not yet known. Last year, the group raised $1,000 and had about 100 people in the audience.
This year they doubled their money and brought in an estimated 250 people, he said.
Heyd said Thursday Night Live is a comedy variety show that consists of different skits and performances by musical guests, much like the show’s inspiration, “Saturday Night Live.”
The night featured a variety of sketches from the members of Pi Kappa Alpha, including an opening with Shawn the Baptist, the controversial Southern Baptist speaker who was recently on campus, an alternate ending of “Of Mice and Men” and a range of skits.
Freshman Samantha Taft said some of the material was awkward, which added to the comedy.
Taft said she came to Thursday Night Live because she wanted to support the cause and be entertained at the same time.
“I enjoyed the Slow Jerk sketch, which was really awkward but funny because it was taboo,” Taft said. “And I liked Shawn the Baptist. It was great because it was really creative.”
Senior Jeremy Nebelsick, president of Pi Kappa Alpha, said the ideas for the skits came from the various shows the members of Thursday Night Live watch, such as “Mad TV,” “Saturday Night Live” and skits on YouTube.
Nebelsick said they also pull ideas from stories in the news the members find comedic.
Freshman Colin Michaels said he was happy that he could take part in the night.
“It was really funny. I’m really glad I came, it was for a good cause and really entertaining,” Michaels said.
Heyd said 40 members of Pi Kappa Alpha were in the comedy troupe on Thursday night, along with Pi Kappa Alpha pledges and outside participation.
Nebelsick said the fraternity begins to plan the event at the end of spring semester and begin forming their ideas at the start of the fall semester.
Every year, all of the money earned from the performance and donations from sponsors goes toward a local charity cause. Heyd said all of the night’s proceeds went to Draper .
Pi Kappa Alpha found Draper, who is from Holstein, Iowa, through the Children’s Miracle Network and she was only one of a few candidates that were from the area.
Heyd said her story also played a part in choosing her.
“For any of us here, that hits a little close to the heart. Cancer affects a lot of people,” Heyd said. “At least for us, she was the obvious choice.”
After doctors found several tumors throughout Draper’s body, she was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma that can occur in any bone in the body.
Pi Kappa Alpha was able to raise the funds to help support Draper through this ordeal through the $1,000 of donations from businesses and by the $5 admissions, Heyd said.
Nebelsick said he and the other members of Pi Kappa Alpha are keeping Draper’s family in mind.
“My sympathy goes out to them, they’re going through a tough situation. I’m glad we are able to do this and help people become aware of the need and help the family,” Nebelsick said.
During Thursday Night Live, Pi Kappa Alpha also gives out a scholarship.
Toward the end of the show, Pi Kappa Alpha crowned the winner of the Dream Girl competition, a scholarship program that rewards a deserving female USD student, Heyd said.
Sophomore Sarah Maxe was crowned this year as Phi Kappa Alpha’s Dream Girl.
“I’m really excited and I’m very nervous. I didn’t think that I would get it. I’m very honored and very proud,” Maxe said.
The scholarship is awarded through votes from the audience before an intermission during the show and from the members of Pi Kappa Alpha.
The Dream Girl scholar is awarded a $250 scholarship, and spends time with the Pi Kappa Alpha members and helps with some of their activities throughout the year.
The original Thursday Night Live event was actually planned around the Dream Girl presentation, Heyd said.
He said Pi Kappa Alpha found it was a funny and entertaining way to present it and help raise funds for a needy cause.
The night also showcased musical performances by local band Avian Sunrise. The band played twice and performed a never before heard song for the audience, band member USD senior Luke Volden said.
Volden, a member of Pi Kappa Alpha, said the band played because two members are in Pi Kappa Alpha and they wanted to contribute to the night.
“It’s a great cause, we are always going to play (Thursday Night Live),” Volden said.
Nebelsick said besides the joy of giving to charity and entertaining students, he enjoys how the night, and the efforts that went into it, brings the members closer.
“We definitely have a great time putting it together,” Nebelsick said.
The turnout impressed Nebelsick. He said the fraternity was really pleased and thought the night went very well.
“I think we did really well tonight. Everything ran really smoothly,” Nebelsick said.
Reach reporter Chris Jessen at Chris.Jessen@usd.edu.
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