Monday, February 14, 2000 The University Daily Kansan Section A · Page 3 Prenicia Clifton, Independence, Mo., freshman, sings a Whitney Houston song. Black Student Union sponsored a talent show- case Saturday night at Alderson Auditorium. Photo by Selena Jabara/KANSAN Poetry highlights BSU show Bv Kandwa Kankondo wrter@kansan.com Kansan staff writer Music, poetry, hand-clapping and a liberal dose of groans and sighs from a highly receptive audience formed the recipe for Talent Showcase 2000 Saturday evening. The showcase was the second talent show organized by Black Student Union in two years. "The show was wonderful," said Terrrell McTyer, Kansas City, Mo. senior and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity member. McTyer directed a 30-member choir, the Inspirational Gospel Voices. Natalie Lucas, BSU president, said the students' performances tied in with the theme for African-American History Month — "The Past. The Present. The Future." Lucas said BSU was solely responsible for this year's show, unlike last year's show, which received financial and technical assistance from Phi Beta Sigma. She said BSU wanted to do things differently this year to show that the organization was coming of age. The show led off with "Oh How I Love You," a song received with ohs by the mostly African-American crowd. Fewer than 10 people of other races turned up for the show, held at Alderson Auditorium in the Kansas Union. Other music followed. Derise Young, Derby freshman, recited two original poems that glorified womanhood. Her poetry delivered a judgment against male chauvinism and world religions that upheld male gods including Christ. If it was the woman who turned the world upside down in the beginning only a woman's power could put the same world right way up, she said. "I write poetry to express my feelings and thoughts," she said. "I enjoy writing poetry. I like to write about the way females are getting treated or abused." However, it was Jacole Kitchen, Lawrence junior, who sent the males into wild groans and had her fellow women clapping or covering their mouths in shock at her sexually charged poems. Kitchen said her poems "Just Us Two" and "The State of Love" were both fantasies. Roderick Williams, father of Young and one of the about 220-member audience, said that the show was fun. Women seek to empower by talking about the vagina By Jessie Meyer writer@kansan.com Kansas staff writer "Vagina!" Julie DePauw, Chesterfield, Mo. sophomore, shouted the word as she entered the Hashinger Hall theater, and The Vagina Monologues began. The play was based on a collection of interviews conducted by Eve Ensler, the author of the book The Vagina Monologues. Ensler talked to women of all ages from around the world during the last three years and asked them all about their vaginas. The play explored what and where the vagina is, why it is seldom talked about, and why become open and honest about this female organ could be empowering to both men and women. "Just look at the way women are taught to sit with their legs crossed and hands folded over their legs," said DePauw, the coordinator of this rendition of the play. "We sit like we are x-ing off something, and this play says 'no, X marks the spot and there is a treasure there." The monologues, performed yesterday afternoon, were re-enactments of the interviews Enser conducted. Each was performed by an actor or a small group of actors from the University of Kansas. Remembering the birth of her niece, Jen Gray, Overland Park freshman, performs "I was there in the room" during The Vagina Monologues. The troop of nine women and one man performed to a crowd of about 65 Sunday afternoon in Hashinger Hall theater. Photo by Selena Jabara/KANSAN "Our sexuality is very important and something we should acknowledge," DePauw said. "I say the word vagina because I want to someday feel comfortable saying it and not feel ashamed and guilty." The play posed questions — such as what the vagina would say if it could talk or what it would wear if it were exposed — to the audience of about 65 men and women in a poignant, yet sometimes comical, manner. Although the vagina was the focus of the play, not having a vagina also played an important role. David Utter, Minneapolis, Kan, freshman, performed a monologue entitled "...And I don't have a vagina." "I can relate to my character." Utter said of his submissive male role. "It is More information For audio clips from The Vagina Monologues, a different take on relationships between men and women." See www.kansan.com Greek organizations honored at annual recognition ceremony By Jessie Meyer writer@kansan.com Bv Jessie Mever Kansan staff writer A Lied Center crowd of nearly 2,000 erupted in applause with the announcement that three sororities received the Chapter Excellence Award at the 11th Annual Greek Recognition Night last night. Alpha Delta Pi, Chi Omega and Kappa Alpha Theta sororities received the award honoring overall chapter success. All three sororities received the award last year as well. No fraternities qualified for the top honor, but three received honorable mentions. Awards ranging from outstanding grade point average to alcohol management were presented during Greek Recognition Night at the Lied Center. People in the community also were recognized for their support of the University of Kansas greek organizations. Photo by Melissa Thornton/KANSAN Megan Migliazzo, Leawood freshman and Chi Omega member, said the excellence award was important for her house. "I'm proud of all the chapters," said Bill Nelson, director of geek programs. "The award is a good incentive for them to work hard." "It's great to get recognized in front of all these people, and it's incentive to work even harder," Migliazzo said. "With this top award, they'll have a little advantage during rush because that's what they show you — all of the awards and things." The award for chapter excel lence is based on an application detailing a specific set of qualifications that determines the winners and includes a log book of events in which the chapter participated. "It is an award that is earned, not awarded," Nelson said. "The chapters keep a log of achievements and any of the chapters who qualify will win the award." Every chapter that submits an application and book is eligible for the award. All 13 sororities and 11 of the 23 fraternities applied. applied. The Chapter Excellence Award was one of 28 categories of awards presented to Panhellenic and Interfraternity chapters and individual members at the program. Other awards were for leadership, community service, academic excellence and participation in the greek community. "It's a night of surprises and recognition," Nelson said. "It's very rewarding." Billy Short, Oxford freshman and Phi Delta Theta fraternity member, said recognition night was important for his fraternity because of the positive acknowledgment involved. "It's a big deal for us," Short said of his fraternity, which placed second among fraternities for grade point average at the event. "It's important for us to do well tonight." Six alumni and five faculty members also were recognized. Thomas E. Mulinazzi, associate dean of the School of Engineering, received the Order of Omega Outstanding Faculty Award for excellence in education. The greek programs also gave a $5,000 philanthropy award to Health Care Access Inc. to be used for providing more health care options in Douglas County. AWARD WINNERS Chapter Excellence Award: Alpha Delta Pi, Chi Omega, Kappa Alpha Theta Award of Special Commendation for Chapter Excellence: Delta Chi, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Kappa Kappa Gamma Award of Honorable Mention for Chapter Excellence: Gamma Phi Beta, Phi Gamma Delta, Phi Kappa Psi Honorable Mentions: Alpha Cameron Delto, Thota Chi Overall Chapter Improvement Award: Delta Delta Delta, Triangle G. A.M.M.A. Outstanding Alcohol Management Award: Kappa Alpha Theta, Delta Tau Delta G. A.M.M.A Honorable Mentions: Delta Gamma, Kappa Kappa Gamma Margaret E. Miller Multicultural Award: Pi Beta Phi, Kappa Sigma Outstanding Public Relations Project Award: Phi Gamma Delta Public Relations Honorable Mention: Delta Chi Gift Certificates · Accessories Delicious CANDY on Special Now! Espresso Cafe Gourmet Coffee & Tea 832-CAFE • 638 Mass --or by reading please contact the ECM Office (843-4933). LOSE WEIGHT All natural! Guaranteed! We'll pay you. 1-877-519-2008 x-1352 6110 johnson drive mission ks 66202 913.831-2617 FLATLANDERS SKI & SNOWBOARD WBOARD SALE/ RENTAL REPAIR Universal Day of Prayer for Students All students, faculty and staff welcome Tuesday, February 15th 12:30 pm Danforth Chapel (KU Campus) Community Prayer Service If you would like to volunteer to help by sharing music, or by reading please contact the ECM Office (843-4933). Sponsored by : Canterbury House (Episcopal), Lutheran Campus Ministry (Elca), ECM (Presbyterian Church, United Church of Christ, Ministry (Elica), ECM (Presbyterian Church, United Church of Christ, Quaker, Church of the Brethren.) University Christian Fellowship, and United Methodist Campus Ministry